Patents by Inventor Nimrod Kapas

Nimrod Kapas 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: 8788166
    Abstract: A downshift control method during a coasting drive condition includes computing changes in output torque and input speed from initial output torque and initial input speed; reducing offgoing element pressure, provided a change in input speed exceeds a reference input speed change; using closed loop control based on output torque and a change in measured output torque to adjust oncoming element pressure such that output torque remains between predetermined maximum and minimum torques; and fully engaging the oncoming element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Kucharski, Nimrod Kapas, Yuji Fujii, Gregory Michael Pietron, Diana Yanakiev
  • Publication number: 20140148304
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes a transmission and a clutch. The slip of the clutch is adjusted to a target where a magnitude of a sensed parameter of a shaft of the transmission corresponds to a desired noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) level in the powertrain. The sensed parameter of the transmission shaft may be one of acceleration, speed, and torque of the transmission shaft. The transmission shaft may be one of the input shaft and output shaft of the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Yuji Fujii, Diana Yanakiev, Joseph F. Kucharski, Nimrod Kapas, Alexander O'Connor Gibson, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 8738249
    Abstract: A synchronous automatic transmission up-shift control utilizes input torque measurements. The input torque is measured during an up-shift having preparatory, torque, and inertia phases. Target input torque profiles for the torque and inertia phases are determined based on the input torque during the preparatory phase. During the torque phase, an engine torque is controlled to cause the input torque to achieve the target profile for the torque phase. During the inertia phase, an on-coming clutch is controlled to cause the input torque to achieve the target profile for the inertia phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yuji Fujii, Bradley Dean Riedle, Seung Hoon Lee, Gregory Michael Pietron, Diana Yanakiev, Joseph F. Kucharski, Nimrod Kapas, Hongtei Eric Tseng
  • Publication number: 20140069759
    Abstract: A transmission and control method are disclosed which ensure proper stroke pressure and minimize torque transients during a shift event. The transmission includes a clutch having a torque capacity based on a fluid pressure, a torque sensor adapted to measure a torque value that varies in relationship to the torque capacity, and a controller. The method includes varying the fluid pressure around a predetermined value, measuring a resulting torque difference with the torque sensor, and adjusting a clutch control parameter if the resulting torque difference is less than a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Yuji Fujii, Joseph F. Kucharski, Nicholas Joseph Witte, Stephen Michael Cicala, Bradley Dean Riedle, Diana Yanakiev, Nimrod Kapas, Davorin David Hrovat
  • Publication number: 20140046557
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle powertrain includes a controller that is operative to automatically control at least one powertrain function other than engine torque based on a measured torque and a predetermined torque range. The predetermined torque range is based on a first engine torque estimate. The measured torque is related to actual engine torque, and can be measured directly at the engine crankshaft, or in another location in the powertrain and then transferred to the engine space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Kucharski, Yuji Fujii, Alexander O'Connor Gibson, Nimrod Kapas, Gregory Michael Pietron, Diana Yanakiev
  • Publication number: 20130345022
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle transmission includes a controller configured to output a first torque estimate defined in terms of one nonlinear function of a transmission parameter for a particular value of the transmission parameter. The controller also receives a measured torque of the transmission at the particular value of the transmission parameter, and outputs a modified torque estimate for the particular value of the transmission parameter based on the measured torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Diana Yanakiev, Yuji Fujii, Gregory Michael Pietron, Alexander O'Connor Gibson, Joseph F. Kucharski, Nimrod Kapas
  • Publication number: 20130263654
    Abstract: A transmission includes sensors positioned adjacent respective pairs of magnetized bands on a shaft of the transmission for detecting magnetic flux emanating from the bands in response to torque on the shaft. The transmission further includes an electronics interface assembly configured to respectively provide drive signals to the sensors and to receive from the sensors, in response to the drive signals, output signals indicative of the torque on the shaft as detected by the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Nimrod Kapas, Joseph F. Kucharski, Steven Adam Hermann, Christopher Gregory Garbacz, Yuji Fujii, Diana Yanakiev, Roberto Teran, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120297895
    Abstract: Designs to package a magneto-elastic torque sensor in an automotive transmission, such as front wheel drive (FWD) automatic transmissions, for volume production applications are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Nimrod Kapas, Joseph F. Kucharski, Gregory Michael Pietron, Yuji Fujii, Steven Adam Hermann, Jeffrey Edward Maurer, Laurence Andrew Deutsch
  • Publication number: 20120260640
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle exhaust heat recovery system including a first exhaust line fluidically connected to a heat exchanger, a second exhaust line fluidically connected to the first exhaust line, and an inanimate flow regulator in the first exhaust line configured to limit exhaust flow under predetermined conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth J. Jackson, Nimrod Kapas
  • Publication number: 20120130608
    Abstract: A synchronous automatic transmission up-shift control utilizes input torque measurements. The input torque is measured during an up-shift having preparatory, torque, and inertia phases. Target input torque profiles for the torque and inertia phases are determined based on the input torque during the preparatory phase. During the torque phase, an engine torque is controlled to cause the input torque to achieve the target profile for the torque phase. During the inertia phase, an on-coming clutch is controlled to cause the input torque to achieve the target profile for the inertia phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Yuji Fujii, Bradley Dean Riedle, Seung Hoon Lee, Gregory Michael Pietron, Diana Yanakiev, Joseph F. Kucharski, Nimrod Kapas, Hongtei Eric Tseng