Patents by Inventor Leonard G. Wozniak
Leonard G. Wozniak 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).
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Patent number: 7599780Abstract: An engine control system comprises a first torque request module that generates a first torque request, a second torque request module that generates a second torque request, a torque arbitration module, an arbitration feedback module, and a torque control module. The torque arbitration module selects one of the first and second torque requests and outputs an arbitrated torque based on the selected one of the first and second torque requests. The arbitration feedback module reports a status signal to the first torque request module. The status signal has a first value when the first torque request is the selected one of the first and second torque requests. The torque control module controls an engine to produce the arbitrated torque. The power source includes an internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2008Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Leonard G. Wozniak, Richard B. Jess, Meera Raja
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Publication number: 20090204280Abstract: A hybrid controller for controlling a hybrid vehicle is set forth. The hybrid vehicle has an engine, an electric motor and an engine controller determining a crankshaft torque. The hybrid controller includes an optimization module determining an electric motor torque, determining an engine torque and communicating the engine torque from the hybrid controller to the engine controller. The hybrid controller also includes a motor control module controlling the electric motor based on the electric motor torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2009Publication date: August 13, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Robert C. Simon, JR., Christopher E. Whitney, William R. Cawthorne, John L. Lahti, Douglas J. Babcock, Vivek Mehta, Anthony H. Heap, Todd R. Shupe, Cheryl A. Williams, Leonard G. Wozniak, Ning Jin, Birendra P. Bhattarai, James L. Worthing
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Patent number: 7537542Abstract: A control apparatus for a powertrain system comprising an engine and two electrical machines operably coupled to a two-mode compound-split electro-mechanical transmission is provided. It includes a system controller and two motor control processors. The system controller communicates with the motor control processors via two high speed communications buses and directly-linked serial peripheral interface buses. The motor control processors control flow of electrical power between the electrical machines and an electrical energy storage device. A second control device is operable to control the engine, preferably to control torque output. The internal combustion engine preferably has a crank position sensor which is signally connected to a dedicated input to the second control device and to a dedicated input to the system controller of the first control device.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2006Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: William R. Cawthorne, Mario V. Maiorana, Jr., Jy-Jen F. Sah, Sean E Gleason, Gregory A. Hubbard, Leonard G. Wozniak, Matthew T. Boyle, Anthony H. Heap, Aniket Kothari
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Publication number: 20090107745Abstract: A method to monitor integrity of a signal in a distributed control system for a powertrain system includes communications link transmitting signals between control modules. Integrity of each of the control modules is monitored. The signal is generated and verified in an originating control module and transmitted to a receiving control module whereat it is subsequently verified.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC., Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerishe Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Hanne Buur, William R. Cawthorne, Leonard G. Wozniak
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Publication number: 20090112412Abstract: Controlling a hybrid powertrain includes monitoring an operator torque request, determining maximum and minimum allowable transmission output torques based upon the operator torque request, determining a commanded transmission output torque, and comparing the commanded transmission output torque and each of the maximum and minimum allowable transmission output torques.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: William R. Cawthorne, Leonard G. Wozniak, Paul A. Stanowski, Hanne Buur
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Publication number: 20090112399Abstract: A method to monitor integrity of a signal generated and communicated in a distributed control module system for a hybrid powertrain system includes generating and verifying signal within an originating control module. A message is generated based upon the signal. The message is transmitted and received at a receiving control module. The signal is extracted from the message and its integrity is verified.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC., Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerishe Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Hanne Buur, William R. Cawthorne, Trenton W. Haines, Jeong J. Park, Leonard G. Wozniak
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Patent number: 7519466Abstract: A method of regulating a torque output of an internal combustion engine in a hybrid electric vehicle includes determining whether a cam phaser system of the engine is in one of an inactive state and an active state and monitoring at least one engine operating parameter. An engine torque array is selected from a plurality of engine torque arrays based on the one of the inactive state and the active state. An available engine torque is determined based on the engine torque array and the at least one engine operating parameter and the engine is regulated based on the available engine torque.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2007Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Daniel G. Brennan, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Bryan R. Snyder, Gregory J. York, Anne M. Shields, Leonard G. Wozniak
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Publication number: 20090056429Abstract: A method for collecting crankshaft position data includes rotating a crankshaft of an engine within a selected angular velocity range without any fuel being applied to the engine and measuring crankshaft position data.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2007Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Xuan Dung Avallone, John L. Lahti, David S. Mathews, Robert C. Simon, JR., Leonard G. Wozniak, William R. Cawthorne, Robert S. Wickman
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Publication number: 20090037073Abstract: A control system for an engine of a vehicle includes a requested torque module that determines a first requested torque based on an accelerator pedal position and a current engine torque output capacity. An accelerator effective position module determines an accelerator effective position based on a requested driver axle torque request signal. A power enrichment (PE) module enables a PE mode to provide a richer than stoichiometric fuel equivalence ratio based on the first requested torque and the accelerator effective position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2008Publication date: February 5, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Jaehak Jung, Louis A. Avallone, Christopher E. Whitney, Leonard G. Wozniak, Klaus Pochner, Jeffrey M. Kaiser
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Publication number: 20090024263Abstract: A powertrain control system for a vehicle includes a plurality of axle torque request modules that generate respective axle torque requests based on respective performance criteria of a vehicle, an axle torque arbitration module that generates a net axle torque request based on the plurality of axle torque requests, a plurality of propulsion torque request modules that generate respective propulsion torque requests based on respective performance criteria of an engine of the vehicle, a propulsion torque arbitration module that determines a net engine torque request based on the net axle torque request and the plurality of propulsion torque requests, and a propulsion torque control module that controls a plurality of actuators based on the net engine torque request such that the engine produces an output torque in accordance with the net engine torque request.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2007Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Robert C. Simon, JR., Leonard G. Wozniak, Michael Livshiz, Christopher E. Whitney, Charles H. Folkerts, Scott J. Chynoweth, David J. Stroh
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Publication number: 20090012665Abstract: A torque estimation system for a vehicle comprises an operating parameter module, a torque estimation module, and an estimation control module. The operating parameter module determines an estimated engine operating parameter based on engine speed. The torque estimation module estimates engine torque based on the engine speed and the estimated engine operating parameter. The estimation control module provides a plurality of engine speeds to the operating parameter module and the torque estimation module to determine estimated engine torque as a function of engine speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2008Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Daniel G. Brennan, Leonard G. Wozniak, Robert C. Simon, JR., Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Emil Ritzen, Mats A. Reimark, Richard M. Backman, Magnus Wall, Thomas Magnusson
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Publication number: 20090005216Abstract: An engine control system comprises a first torque request module that generates a first torque request, a second torque request module that generates a second torque request, a torque arbitration module, an arbitration feedback module, and a torque control module. The torque arbitration module selects one of the first and second torque requests and outputs an arbitrated torque based on the selected one of the first and second torque requests. The arbitration feedback module reports a status signal to the first torque request module. The status signal has a first value when the first torque request is the selected one of the first and second torque requests. The torque control module controls an engine to produce the arbitrated torque. The power source includes an internal combustion engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2008Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Robert C. Simon, JR., Leonard G. Wozniak, Richard B. Jess, Meera Raja
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Publication number: 20080281496Abstract: A method of regulating a torque output of an internal combustion engine in a hybrid electric vehicle includes determining whether a cam phaser system of the engine is in one of an inactive state and an active state and monitoring at least one engine operating parameter. An engine torque array is selected from a plurality of engine torque arrays based on the one of the inactive state and the active state. An available engine torque is determined based on the engine torque array and the at least one engine operating parameter and the engine is regulated based on the available engine torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2007Publication date: November 13, 2008Inventors: Daniel G. Brennan, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Bryan R. Snyder, Gregory J. York, Anne M. Shields, Leonard G. Wozniak
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Publication number: 20080243355Abstract: An engine control system comprises a torque request module, an immediate torque control module, an actuation module, and an expected torque control module. The torque request module generates an expected torque request and an immediate torque request. The immediate torque control module controls a spark advance of an engine based on the immediate torque request. The actuation module selectively reduces the expected torque request based on the immediate torque request and a spark capacity. The spark capacity is based on a difference between a first engine torque and a second engine torque, determined at a current airflow. The first engine torque is determined at a first spark advance and the second engine torque is determined at a second spark advance that is less than the first spark advance. The expected torque control module that controls a throttle valve area based on the expected torque request.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2008Publication date: October 2, 2008Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Richard B. Jess, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Weixin Yan, Michael Livshiz, Robert C. Simon, Leonard G. Wozniak
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Publication number: 20080228369Abstract: A method and system for regulating a drive torque provided to a driveline of a vehicle includes monitoring an accelerator pedal position and a brake pedal position. An adjusted accelerator pedal position is determined based on the accelerator pedal position and the brake pedal position and a drive torque request is determined based on the adjusted accelerator pedal position. Drive torque is generated based on the drive torque request.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2007Publication date: September 18, 2008Inventors: David J. Stroh, Robert C. Simon, Leonard G. Wozniak, William R. Cawthorne
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Publication number: 20080221763Abstract: A control method is provided including detecting transmission output speed and a forward and reverse shift request, and executing inhibit limits when the detected speed exceeds a predetermined threshold speed. The inhibit limits slow the output speed to zero upon detection of a shift request at output speeds above the threshold, with a pedal progression map executed upon reaching zero output speed. The limits approach zero output torque as vehicle speed increases, reaching zero at a relatively high speed and simulating a neutral transmission upon a detected shift request at high speed. A vehicle is also provided having a transmission, a sensor for detecting transmission output speed, a sensor for detecting a shift request, and a PCM having an algorithm and a threshold transmission output speed. The algorithm inhibits a shift event in the direction opposite that of vehicle travel upon detection when vehicle speed is greater than the threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2007Publication date: September 11, 2008Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: William R. Cawthorne, Leonard G. Wozniak
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Publication number: 20080220934Abstract: A method of regulating a torque output of each of an internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric machine (EM) in a hybrid powertrain system includes determining a desired axle torque of the hybrid powertrain system and arbitrating the desired axle torque and a first plurality of torque requests in an engine control module (ECM) of the hybrid powertrain system to provide an arbitrated axle torque request. The method further includes arbitrating a torque request, which is based on the arbitrated axle torque request, and a second plurality of torque requests in a hybrid control module (HCM) to provide a final torque request, and generating ICE control signals and EM control signals based on the final torque request.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2007Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventors: Douglas J. Babcock, Leonard G. Wozniak
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Publication number: 20080208420Abstract: A method of regulating a torque output of a vehicle powertrain includes generating a plurality of torque requests and associating each of the plurality of torque requests with one of a plurality of arbitration domains to form torque request sets associated with each of the plurality of arbitration domains. A first torque request set is arbitrated within a first of the plurality of arbitration domains to provide a first torque request. The first torque request is introduced into a second torque request set associated with a second of the plurality of arbitration domains. The second torque request set is arbitrated within the second arbitration domain to provide a second torque request. A torque source is regulated based on the second torque request.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: Leonard G. Wozniak, Robert C. Simon, Christopher E. Whitney, Donovan L. Dibble, Charles H. Folkerts, Joseph R. Dulzo, Thomas Magnusson, Magnus Wall, Emil Ritzen
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Publication number: 20080179119Abstract: A power distribution system for a hybrid vehicle having an engine is disclosed. The power distribution system includes an electric motor/generator, a vehicle accessory drive system comprising a first accessory, and a power distribution apparatus. The power distribution apparatus includes a first power transfer member comprising a first shaft, the first shaft being configured to transfer power to the engine and from the engine. The power distribution apparatus further includes a second power transfer member comprising a second shaft, the second shaft being configured to transfer power to the motor/generator and from the motor/generator. The power distribution apparatus further includes a third power transfer member comprising a third shaft, the third shaft being configured to transfer power to the accessory drive system to drive the first accessory. The power distribution apparatus further includes a first clutch and a second clutch.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2007Publication date: July 31, 2008Inventors: Daniel P. Grenn, Marek L. Wilmanowicz, Aniket Kothari, Leonard G. Wozniak, Rick H. Schroeder, Andrew M. Zettel, Peter E. Wu, Wei D. Wang, Michael J. Taljonick, Jayanthi Padmanabhan
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Publication number: 20080064559Abstract: A control apparatus for a powertrain system comprising an engine and two electrical machines operably coupled to a two-mode compound-split electro-mechanical transmission is provided. It includes a system controller and two motor control processors. The system controller communicates with the motor control processors via two high speed communications buses and directly-linked serial peripheral interface buses. The motor control processors control flow of electrical power between the electrical machines and an electrical energy storage device. A second control device is operable to control the engine, preferably to control torque output. The internal combustion engine preferably has a crank position sensor which is signally connected to a dedicated input to the second control device and to a dedicated input to the system controller of the first control device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2006Publication date: March 13, 2008Inventors: William R. Cawthorne, Mario V. Maiorana, Jy-Jen F. Sah, Sean E. Gleason, Gregory A. Hubbard, Leonard G. Wozniak, Matthew T. Boyle, Anthony H. Heap, Aniket Kothari