Patents by Inventor Kevin MacFarlane

Kevin MacFarlane 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: 10364735
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting vehicle grille shutters based on a direction of motion of the grille shutters. In one example, a method includes adjusting a motor coupled to the grille shutters based on the direction of motion of the grille shutters, a desired opening of the grille shutters, and vehicle speed. Further, the method may include determining the direction of motion of the grille shutters based on a desired motor position relative to an actual motor position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Macfarlane, Christopher Semanson, Joseph James Gallo, Mark Fleming, Colby Jason Buckman, Robert Roy Jentz
  • Patent number: 9988954
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for filtering an oil dilution amount based on a current value of the oil dilution amount. In one example, filtering the oil dilution amount may include decreasing a sensitivity of filtering at lower oil dilution below a threshold; otherwise, increasing the sensitivity of filtering. The sensitivity of the filtering may be decreased by implementing a larger time constant, while the sensitivity of the filtering may be increased by implementing a smaller time constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Macfarlane, Dennis Witt, Amanda Perkins, Christopher Semanson, Robert Milton, Charles Irwin Rackmil
  • Publication number: 20180003092
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for filtering an oil dilution amount based on a current value of the oil dilution amount. In one example, filtering the oil dilution amount may include decreasing a sensitivity of filtering at lower oil dilution below a threshold; otherwise, increasing the sensitivity of filtering. The sensitivity of the filtering may be decreased by implementing a larger time constant, while the sensitivity of the filtering may be increased by implementing a smaller time constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Kevin Macfarlane, Dennis Witt, Amanda Perkins, Christopher Semanson, Robert Milton, Charles Irwin Rackmil
  • Patent number: 9409474
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting vehicle grille shutters based on engine coolant temperature. In one example, a method includes adjusting grille shutters based on engine coolant temperature and additional engine operating conditions when engine coolant temperature is below a threshold and adjusting the grille shutters base on the engine coolant temperature only when the engine coolant temperature is above the threshold. Further, the method may include recalibrating a position of the grille shutters based on a grille shutter position error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Macfarlane, Christopher Semanson, Robert Roy Jentz, Joseph James Gallo, Chuck Irwin Rackmil
  • Patent number: 9126580
    Abstract: A method and system for operating vehicle accessories is described. The method and system allocate an available amount of engine torque between different accessories depending on boundary conditions and nominal vehicle operating conditions. In one example, the accessories may include an air conditioner compressor, an alternator, and various vehicle electrical loads that are in electrical communication with the alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin Macfarlane, Nicholas Dashwood Crisp, Robert Michael Grant, Hugh Hamilton, Brian Jay Fedoroff, Gregory Blin, Peter Robert Brooks
  • Publication number: 20150149043
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting vehicle grille shutters based on engine coolant temperature. In one example, a method includes adjusting grille shutters based on engine coolant temperature and additional engine operating conditions when engine coolant temperature is below a threshold and adjusting the grille shutters base on the engine coolant temperature only when the engine coolant temperature is above the threshold. Further, the method may include recalibrating a position of the grille shutters based on a grille shutter position error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Macfarlane, Christopher Semanson, Robert Roy Jentz, Joseph James Gallo, Chuck Irwin Rackmil
  • Publication number: 20150147949
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting vehicle grille shutters based on a direction of motion of the grille shutters. In one example, a method includes adjusting a motor coupled to the grille shutters based on the direction of motion of the grille shutters, a desired opening of the grille shutters, and vehicle speed. Further, the method may include determining the direction of motion of the grille shutters based on a desired motor position relative to an actual motor position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Macfarlane, Christopher Semanson, Joseph James Gallo, Mark Fleming, Colby Jason Buckman, Robert Roy Jentz
  • Publication number: 20150066292
    Abstract: A method and system for operating vehicle accessories is described. The method and system allocate an available amount of engine torque between different accessories depending on boundary conditions and nominal vehicle operating conditions. In one example, the accessories may include an air conditioner compressor, an alternator, and various vehicle electrical loads that are in electrical communication with the alternator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Macfarlane, Nicholas Dashwood Crisp, Robert Michael Grant, Hugh Hamilton, Brian Jay Fedoroff, Gregory Blin, Peter Robert Brooks
  • Patent number: 8380406
    Abstract: A method for changing the timing of gear changes of an automatic transmission for a motor vehicle including repetitively updating a current value of a count whose value is a measure of driving behavior, performing an evaluation of driving behavior and updating the current value by a value determined from the evaluation, determining shift schedules that define the occurrence of a gear change to be produced by the transmission, and using the updated current value to establish from among the shift schedules a shift schedule that defines a gear change to be produced by the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin MacFarlane, Henry A. Rebandt, Andrew Wong, Alan Henriksen, Peter J. Bradley, Philip J. Wiethe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8113989
    Abstract: A method for executing a downshift in a transmission includes starting disengagement of a second control element after starting disengagement of a first element. Disengagement of the second element starts before starting engagement of a fourth element. A third element is forced to synchronous speed by beginning engagement of the fourth element before engaging the third element. Engagement of the third and fourth elements is completed at the end of the downshift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin MacFarlane, Timothy Merlino, Than Pham, Barbara Anne Hartline, Michael Tarrant
  • Patent number: 8079936
    Abstract: A method for controlling a gear shift of a dual clutch transmission having an offgoing clutch and an oncoming clutch, includes using torque transmitted by the oncoming clutch to control torque at a transmission output, using a speed of a power source to control a transfer of torque between the offgoing clutch and the oncoming clutch, and varying said torque capacity to produce a target slip across the oncoming clutch when the shift is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin MacFarlane, Brian Keyse, Eileen A. Davidson, David Orton, Thomas R. Langeland
  • Publication number: 20100261577
    Abstract: A method for controlling a gear shift of a dual clutch transmission having an offgoing clutch and an oncoming clutch, includes using torque transmitted by the oncoming clutch to control torque at a transmission output, using a speed of a power source to control a transfer of torque between the offgoing clutch and the oncoming clutch, and varying said torque capacity to produce a target slip across the oncoming clutch when the shift is completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin MacFarlane, Brian Keyse, Eileen A. Davidson, David Orton, Thomas R. Langeland
  • Publication number: 20100087293
    Abstract: A method for executing a downshift in a transmission includes starting disengagement of a second control element after starting disengagement of a first element. Disengagement of the second element starts before starting engagement of a fourth element. A third element is forced to synchronous speed by beginning engagement of the fourth element before engaging the third element. Engagement of the third and fourth elements is completed at the end of the downshift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin MacFarlane, Timothy Merlino, Than Pham, Barbara Anne Hartline, Michael Tarrant
  • Publication number: 20090312926
    Abstract: A method for changing the timing of gear changes of an automatic transmission for a motor vehicle including repetitively updating a current value of a count whose value is a measure of driving behavior, performing an evaluation of driving behavior and updating the current value by a value determined from the evaluation, determining shift schedules that define the occurrence of a gear change to be produced by the transmission, and using the updated current value to establish from among the shift schedules a shift schedule that defines a gear change to be produced by the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Kevin MacFarlane, Henry A. Rebandt, Andrew Wong, Alan Henriksen, Peter J. Bradley, Philip J. Wiethe, JR.
  • Patent number: 6577939
    Abstract: A modular electronic control system for a geared multiple-ratio transmission wherein pressure profiles for each ratio shift actuator are used to provide seamless transitions during both positive and negative engine torque conditions to improve shift feel and responsiveness to ratio change commands. The system provides shift staging for sequenced shifts between ratios as well as for so-called “change-of-mind” shifts in which a sequence shift is interrupted as a new destination gear is introduced. A constant ratio change occurs during sequenced shifts. A change-of-mind shift can be performed directly where the new destination gear is commanded immediately. Independent pressure profiles for each clutch involved in a commanded shift are used to accommodate various types of shifts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Keyse, Ihab S. Soliman, Jeremy L. Russell, Kevin MacFarlane, Stephen Michael Cicala