Patents by Inventor Kevin T. Sharples

Kevin T. Sharples 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).

  • Securing throttle area in a coordinated torque control system
    Patent number: 8181627
    Abstract: An engine system includes a throttle actuator module and a torque control module. The throttle actuator module controls a throttle actuator based on a desired throttle area. The torque control module determines an actuator torque. The torque control module determines a rate limited torque, a maximum torque, and a minimum torque based on the actuator torque and a predetermined rate of change. The torque control module determines the desired throttle area based on the actuator torque when the rate limited torque is greater than the maximum torque. The torque control module determines the desired throttle area based on the actuator torque when the rate limited torque is less than the minimum torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventors: Kevin T. Sharples, Mark H. Costin, Timothy J. Hartrey, Christopher E. Whitney, Bahram Younessi, Weixin Yan, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Richard B. Jess, Joseph M. Stempnik, John A. Jacobs, Jinchun Peng, Leonard G. Wozniak, Vivek Mehta, Bruce A. Rogers
  • SECURING THROTTLE AREA IN A COORDINATED TORQUE CONTROL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20100075803
    Abstract: An engine system includes a throttle actuator module and a torque control module. The throttle actuator module controls a throttle actuator based on a desired throttle area. The torque control module determines an actuator torque. The torque control module determines a rate limited torque, a maximum torque, and a minimum torque based on the actuator torque and a predetermined rate of change. The torque control module determines the desired throttle area based on the actuator torque when the rate limited torque is greater than the maximum torque. The torque control module determines the desired throttle area based on the actuator torque when the rate limited torque is less than the minimum torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin T. Sharples, Mark H. Costin, Timothy J. Hartrey, Christopher E. Whitney, Bahram Younessi, Weixin Yan, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Richard B. Jess, Joseph M. Stempnik, John A. Jacobs, Jinchun Peng, Leonard G. Wozniak, Vivek Mehta, Bruce A. Rogers
  • Cruise idle speed control to enhance low speed and light throttle drivability
    Patent number: 7263429
    Abstract: An engine control system that regulates operating of an engine of a motor vehicle includes a first module that determines whether a throttle of the motor vehicle is closed and a second module that determines whether the engine is idling while a cruise control is active. A third module selectively inhibits an RPM-based idle speed control of the engine if the throttle is closed and the engine is idling while the cruise control is active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Bauerle, Matthew Squire, Joseph M. Stempnik, Sharon L. Storch, David A. Stamm, Kevin T. Sharples
  • Diagnostic coordination control
    Patent number: 7027914
    Abstract: An engine control system includes an ignition switch that selectively initiates an ignition signal and an operating mode of an engine. A powertrain relay selectively generates a PR load signal based on the ignition signal and the operating mode. A control module enables an ignition signal diagnostic system when the operating mode is a RUN mode, the ignition signal is generated and the PR load signal is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kerfegar K. Katrak, Paul A. Bauerle, Joseph M. Stempnik, Kevin T. Sharples