Patents by Inventor Mark S. Yamazaki

Mark S. Yamazaki 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: 9592832
    Abstract: A method for controlling regenerative braking in a hybrid electric powertrain includes using an e-pump to supply fluid to a transmission provided an indication that a torque converter clutch disengagement will occur under current powertrain operating conditions is present, and discontinuing use of the e-pump and using a mechanical pump to supply fluid to the transmission provided the indication that a torque converter clutch disengagement will occur under current powertrain operating conditions is absent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIE,S LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Zhengyu Dai, Mark S. Yamazaki, Daniel S. Colvin
  • Patent number: 9415760
    Abstract: Calibration of an engine disconnect clutch for a hybrid electric powertrain. The clutch is prestroked while an engine and machine are stopped. A machine torque is increased until the machine starts rotating. A pressure of the clutch is adjusted as a function of a torque produced by the machine when the machine started rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Wei Liang, Daniel S. Colvin, Rajit Johri, Ryan A. McGee, Xiaoyong Wang, Bernard D. Nefcy, Mark S. Yamazaki, Ming L. Kuang, Marvin P. Kraska
  • Patent number: 9227630
    Abstract: A method of smoothing hybrid vehicle engine shutdown. A powered and rotating electric machine is used to slow deceleration of an unpowered and rotating engine by transferring torque through a clutch from the machine to the unpowered engine. Prior to the machine being powered, torque may be transferred through the clutch from the unpowered and rotating engine to the unpowered machine to accelerate passage of the engine through a resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan A. McGee, Rajit Johri, Wei Liang, Mark S. Yamazaki, Xiaoyong Wang, Ming L. Kuang
  • Patent number: 9187081
    Abstract: A method for controlling vehicle regenerative braking includes decreasing regenerative braking, provided a converter clutch is locked, such that regenerative braking torque reaches zero before a converter clutch opens due to vehicle speed reaching a reference speed; decreasing regenerative braking, provided the converter clutch is scheduled to open, such that regenerative braking torque reaches zero before the converter clutch opens due to vehicle speed reaching the reference speed; and braking the vehicle using wheel brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Zhengyu Dai, Yanan Zhao, Felix Nedorezov, Mark S. Yamazaki, Philip J. Wiethe, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150283989
    Abstract: Calibration of an engine disconnect clutch for a hybrid electric powertrain. The clutch is prestroked while an engine and machine are stopped. A machine torque is increased until the machine starts rotating. A pressure of the clutch is adjusted as a function of a torque produced by the machine when the machine started rotating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Wei Liang, Daniel S. Colvin, Rajit Johri, Ryan A. McGee, Xiaoyong Wang, Bernard D. Nefcy, Mark S. Yamazaki, Ming L. Kuang, Marvin P. Kraska
  • Patent number: 9145128
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle regenerative braking event includes maintaining a converter clutch closed while braking, while an engine connected to the impeller is running, opening the converter clutch when impeller speed reaches a reference speed difference relative to engine idle speed, and while the engine is off, opening the converter clutch when impeller speed reaches a speed required for a transmission pump, connected to an impeller, to produce line pressure at a desired magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoyong Wang, Mark S. Yamazaki, Wei Liang, Rajit Johri, Ryan A. McGee, Ming L. Kuang
  • Publication number: 20150266481
    Abstract: A method for controlling regenerative braking in a hybrid electric powertrain includes using an e-pump to supply fluid to a transmission provided an indication that a torque converter clutch disengagement will occur under current powertrain operating conditions is present, and discontinuing use of the e-pump and using a mechanical pump to supply fluid to the transmission provided the indication that a torque converter clutch disengagement will occur under current powertrain operating conditions is absent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Zhengyu Dai, Mark S. Yamazaki, Daniel S. Colvin
  • Publication number: 20150232086
    Abstract: A method of smoothing hybrid vehicle engine shutdown. A powered and rotating electric machine is used to slow deceleration of an unpowered and rotating engine by transferring torque through a clutch from the machine to the unpowered engine. Prior to the machine being powered, torque may be transferred through the clutch from the unpowered and rotating engine to the unpowered machine to accelerate passage of the engine through a resonance frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan A. McGee, Rajit Johri, Wei Liang, Mark S. Yamazaki, Xiaoyong Wang, Ming L. Kuang
  • Publication number: 20150105214
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle regenerative braking event includes maintaining a converter clutch closed while braking, while an engine connected to the impeller is running, opening the converter clutch when impeller speed reaches a reference speed difference relative to engine idle speed, and while the engine is off, opening the converter clutch when impeller speed reaches a speed required for a transmission pump, connected to an impeller, to produce line pressure at a desired magnitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoyong Wang, Mark S. Yamazaki, Wei Liang, Rajit Johri, Ryan A. McGee, Ming L. Kuang
  • Publication number: 20150087475
    Abstract: A method for controlling vehicle regenerative braking includes decreasing regenerative braking, provided a converter clutch is locked, such that regenerative braking torque reaches zero before a converter clutch opens due to vehicle speed reaching a reference speed; decreasing regenerative braking, provided the converter clutch is scheduled to open, such that regenerative braking torque reaches zero before the converter clutch opens due to vehicle speed reaching the reference speed; and braking the vehicle using wheel brakes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Zhengyu Dai, Yanan Zhao, Felix Nedorezov, Mark S. Yamazaki, Philip J. Wiethe, JR.
  • Patent number: 8647231
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle powertrain includes driving first wheels using an electric machine, starting an engine, using a second electric machine driven by the engine to produce synchronous speed at a input of a transmission having a desired gear engaged, engaging a clutch that connects said input and the engine, and using the engine and the transmission to drive second wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ihab S. Soliman, Fazal U. Syed, Mark S. Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8602939
    Abstract: A method for controlling vehicle creep includes controlling motor speed to produce the desired creep speed, if desired creep speed exceeds vehicle speed; controlling motor torque to produce the desired wheel torque, if desired wheel torque exceeds actual wheel torque; and controlling motor torque to decelerate the vehicle to creep speed, if vehicle speed is decreasing and exceeds the desired speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark S. Yamazaki, Marvin P. Kraska, Dan Colvin, Fazal U. Syed, Brandon R. Masterson
  • Patent number: 8433465
    Abstract: A method for operating a powertrain includes determining maximum and minimum series-drive power limits of powertrain electric components; operating in parallel-drive if vehicle speed exceeds a reference, demanded wheel power is between said limits, or demanded engine power exceeds a reference demanded engine power; and operating in series-drive if vehicle speed is less than a reference, demanded wheel power is between said limits, and demanded engine power is less than a reference engine power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark S. Yamazaki, Fazal U. Syed
  • Publication number: 20130012355
    Abstract: A method for controlling vehicle creep includes controlling motor speed to produce the desired creep speed, if desired creep speed exceeds vehicle speed; controlling motor torque to produce the desired wheel torque, if desired wheel torque exceeds actual wheel torque; and controlling motor torque to decelerate the vehicle to creep speed, if vehicle speed is decreasing and exceeds the desired speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark S. Yamazaki, Marvin P. Kraska, Dan Colvin, Fazal U. Syed, Brandon R. Masterson
  • Publication number: 20120022731
    Abstract: A method for launching a vehicle includes determining that vehicle speed is less than a reference, demanded wheel power is less than a reference wheel power, and demanded engine power is less than a reference engine power; charging a battery using a generator driven by an engine; using an electric machine powered by the battery to drive vehicle wheels; and opening a clutch located in a drive path between a transmission and the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ming L. Kuang, Fazal U. Syed, Per J. Jurland, Mark S. Yamazaki, Ihab S. Soliman, Mathew A. Boesch, Deepak Aswani
  • Publication number: 20120010041
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle powertrain includes driving first wheels using an electric machine, starting an engine, using a second electric machine driven by the engine to produce synchronous speed at a input of a transmission having a desired gear engaged, engaging a clutch that connects said input and the engine, and using the engine and the transmission to drive second wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ihab S. Soliman, Fazal U. Syed, Mark S. Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20110301792
    Abstract: A method for operating a powertrain includes determining maximum and minimum series-drive power limits of powertrain electric components; operating in parallel-drive if vehicle speed exceeds a reference, demanded wheel power is between said limits, or demanded engine power exceeds a reference demanded engine power; and operating in series-drive if vehicle speed is less than a reference, demanded wheel power is between said limits, and demanded engine power is less than a reference engine power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark S. Yamazaki, Fazal U. Syed
  • Publication number: 20090033095
    Abstract: In a powertrain that includes an engine having a filter for removing particulate matter from engine exhaust gas, and an electric machine driveably connected to the engine, a method for controlling temperature of the filter including operating the engine to produce a magnitude of positive crankshaft power for driving the vehicle, increasing the temperature of the engine exhaust gas by operating the electric machine to increase load on the engine, and regenerating the particulate filter by passing engine exhaust gas at the increased temperature through the particulate filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Deepak Aswani, Mathew A. Boesch, Ihab S. Soliman, Andrew J. Silveri, Fazal U. Syed, Mark S. Yamazaki