Patents by Inventor Mark C. Azzaretti

Mark C. Azzaretti 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: 9174645
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods to detect and reduce any high driveline torsional levels, such as due to the cylinder deactivation in variable displacement system engines or aggressive lock-up strategies for fuel efficiency, in automobile transmissions. The present disclosure utilizes a controller in an automobile to operate a computationally thrifty method for quickly detecting noise and vibration disturbances in the transmission. This quick detection enables fuel economic calibrations that aggressively reduce the disturbances by controlling slip in a launch device of the transmission. As problem disturbances arise, they are detected before occupants notice objectionable behavior. Once detected, the disturbances are reduced, such as by increasing launch device slip, which effectively intercepts the objectionable disturbances before they are transferred through the entire drivetrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Brian E. Beechie, Thomas F. Wentworth, Gregory A. Sbroglia, Bruce Geist, Mark C. Azzaretti, Marc H. Sullivan, In-Soo Suh, Mark J. Duty, Changwei Cao
  • Patent number: 8095287
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described to automatically lock and unlock a front axle disconnect mechanism in an all-wheel drive (AWD) system responsive to driving conditions to reduce parasitic losses and increase fuel efficiency. A control algorithm is described which automatically determines whether the front axle disconnect mechanism should lock or unlock responsive to various sensor readings throughout the vehicle. The sensor readings relate to the driving conditions. Advantageously, the present disclosure automatically decides the best mode for optimum fuel economy while safely responding to driving conditions, and therefore removes the requirement for a driver to select the operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Brian E. Beechie, Daniel L. Brown, Donald R. Hughes, Charles Bienenstein, James C. Savage, Mark C. Azzaretti, Donald F. Schmanski
  • Publication number: 20090057047
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described to automatically lock and unlock a front axle disconnect mechanism in an all-wheel drive (AWD) system responsive to driving conditions to reduce parasitic losses and increase fuel efficiency. A control algorithm is described which automatically determines whether the front axle disconnect mechanism should lock or unlock responsive to various sensor readings throughout the vehicle. The sensor readings relate to the driving conditions. Advantageously, the present disclosure automatically decides the best mode for optimum fuel economy while safely responding to driving conditions, and therefore removes the requirement for a driver to select the operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Brian E. Beechie, Daniel L. Brown, Donald R. Hughes, Charles Bienenstein, James C. Savege, Mark C. Azzaretti, Donald F. Schmanski
  • Publication number: 20080288146
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods to detect and reduce any high driveline torsional levels, such as due to the cylinder deactivation in variable displacement system engines or aggressive lock-up strategies for fuel efficiency, in automobile transmissions. The present disclosure utilizes a controller in an automobile to operate a computationally thrifty method for quickly detecting noise and vibration disturbances in the transmission. This quick detection enables fuel economic calibrations that aggressively reduce the disturbances by controlling slip in a launch device of the transmission. As problem disturbances arise, they are detected before occupants notice objectionable behavior. Once detected, the disturbances are reduced, such as by increasing launch device slip, which effectively intercepts the objectionable disturbances before they are transferred through the entire drivetrain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Brian E. Beechie, Thomas F. Wentworth, Gregory A. Sbroglia, Bruce Geist, Mark C. Azzaretti, Marc H. Sullivan, In-Soo Suh, Mark J. Duty, Changwei Cao