Patents by Inventor Randall B. Dlugoss

Randall B. Dlugoss 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: 8781697
    Abstract: A target pressure module determines a target pressure for controlling a solenoid of a transmission. An error module determines a pressure error based on a difference between the target pressure and a pressure measured using a pressure sensor. A pressure offset module determines a pressure offset using the target pressure and a mapping of pressure offsets indexed by target pressure. An offset learning module selectively determines a learned pressure offset and selectively updates the mapping based on the learned pressure offset. A pressure command module selectively generates a commanded pressure based on the target pressure, the pressure offset, and the pressure error. A solenoid control module controls actuation of the solenoid based on the commanded pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Paul G. Otanez, Randall B. Dlugoss
  • Publication number: 20140121923
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, transmission, and controller. The transmission has gear sets each having multiple nodes, an input member continuously connected to the engine and one of the gear sets, and a binary clutch assembly. The controller executes a method to detect a requested event of a binary clutch engagement and to command a calibrated energy pulse from the engine to the input member in response to the requested event. The energy pulse reduces slip across the binary clutch assembly. The controller applies the binary clutch assembly within a calibrated window of initiation of the pulse, and may shift the transmission into reverse or drive. A transmission has the controller, at least first, second, and third gear sets, an input member selectively connected to the first gear set and continuously connected to the second gear set, and a binary clutch assembly connected to the first and second gear sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Randall B. Dlugoss
  • Publication number: 20140121906
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, brake actuators configured to slow the vehicle in response to braking commands, and a transmission. The transmission includes a plurality of gear sets each having a plurality of nodes, an input member that is continuously connected to the engine and to a node of one of the gear sets, a reverse clutch, a binary clutch assembly, and a controller. The binary clutch assembly is connected at least to the same gear set as the input member, and is applied with the reverse clutch when entering a reverse gear state. The controller executes a method to transmit the braking commands to the brake actuators in response to a requested garage shift into a reverse gear state when the vehicle is rolling above a calibrated speed threshold, and thereby slows the vehicle until a calibrated target slip is achieved across the binary clutch assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Randall B. Dlugoss, John E. Marano
  • Publication number: 20140121916
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a transmission, the latter of which includes a controller which executes an adaptive speed-based control method. The transmission includes gear sets each having multiple nodes, an input member continuously connected to the engine and to one of the gear sets, and a binary clutch assembly connected to the same gear set as the input member. The controller is programmed to detect a requested transmission shift into an engine braking state while the vehicle is coasting. The controller also commands an increase in engine speed to a target engine speed in response to the requested shift, and applied the binary clutch assembly when the engine output speed reaches the target engine speed. The controller calculates slip across the binary clutch assembly and adjusts the target engine speed as needed over time until the target slip is achieved at the target engine speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Randall B. Dlugoss
  • Publication number: 20140121914
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and transmission having gear sets, an input member that is continuously connected to the engine and a gear set, a binary clutch assembly, a speed sensor, and a controller. The binary clutch assembly includes a freewheeling element holding torque in one rotational direction, and also a selectable one-way clutch (SOWC) portion holding torque in two rotational directions when applied. The controller executes a method to transmit a first binary clutch command to the binary clutch assembly and thus apply the SOWC portion at vehicle launch, and calculates, via the processor, an acceleration value of the vehicle using the measured speed. The controller also selects a shift apply point of the binary clutch assembly as a function of the calculated acceleration value, and transmits a second binary clutch command to the binary clutch assembly to release the SOWC portion at the selected shift apply point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Vijay A. Neelakantan, John E. Marano, Randall B. Dlugoss
  • Publication number: 20140024495
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission includes a transmission having a selectable clutch device effective when engaged to mechanically couple an internal combustion engine to a first axle at a fixed engine speed to axle speed ratio. A method for starting the engine includes executing an engine start event including spinning and fueling the engine such that an engine speed to axle speed ratio exceeds the fixed engine speed to axle speed ratio, and engaging said selectable clutch device after the engine speed to axle speed ratio exceeds the fixed engine speed to axle speed ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: MIN-JOONG KIM, JOSEPH M. TOLKACZ, R TRAVIS SCHWENKE, RANDALL B. DLUGOSS
  • Patent number: 8620538
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting vehicle movement based on the measurement of the torque value on a vehicle drivetrain is disclosed. The system includes a torque sensor for measuring the torque on a vehicle drivetrain. This measured torque is utilized by a control module, with various other measured vehicle parameters, to determine if the conditions are such that vehicle movement may occur or has already begun. Possible vehicle movement is indicated when either the measured torque value exceeds a threshold value and changes towards zero, or big noise spikes are present in the torque sensor output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventors: Randall B. Dlugoss, John R. Maten, Micheal P Portell
  • Patent number: 8417411
    Abstract: A control system may include a polarity determination module, a torque variation module, and a torque sensor diagnostic module. The polarity determination module determines a first polarity of a torque signal that indicates a transmission torque. The torque sensor diagnostic module diagnoses an error of a torque sensor when an detected polarity of the torque signal is opposite from the first polarity. A control system may include a torque variation module and a torque sensor diagnostic module. The torque variation module determines a maximum torque variation during a predetermined diagnostic period based on the torque signal. The torque sensor diagnostic module diagnoses an error of a torque sensor when the maximum torque variation is outside of a torque variation range. The torque variation range is defined by a minimum torque variation threshold and a maximum torque variation threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Randall B. Dlugoss
  • Patent number: 8408516
    Abstract: Provided is a fluid pressure control device that includes an actuator and a body configured to house the actuator. The body has an opening arranged to receive pressurized fluid. The fluid pressure control device additionally includes a pressure sensor incorporated into the body relative to the opening to sense fluid pressure and to generate an electrical signal indicative of the sensed pressure. Furthermore, the fluid pressure control device includes an integrated circuit incorporated into the body, and operatively connected to the pressure sensor. The integrated circuit includes a transceiver configured to communicate with an external device by transmitting the electrical signal indicative of the sensed fluid pressure to the external device and receiving a control signal from the external device. The integrated circuit additionally includes a driver configured to power the actuator in response to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Randall B. Dlugoss
  • Publication number: 20130049941
    Abstract: A target pressure module determines a target pressure for controlling a solenoid of a transmission. An error module determines a pressure error based on a difference between the target pressure and a pressure measured using a pressure sensor. A pressure offset module determines a pressure offset using the target pressure and a mapping of pressure offsets indexed by target pressure. An offset learning module selectively determines a learned pressure offset and selectively updates the mapping based on the learned pressure offset. A pressure command module selectively generates a commanded pressure based on the target pressure, the pressure offset, and the pressure error. A solenoid control module controls actuation of the solenoid based on the commanded pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul G. Otanez, Randall B. Dlugoss
  • Patent number: 8364361
    Abstract: A method for controlling a clutch assembly includes controlling an actual clutch fill pressure using open-loop pressure controls when an active fill phase is detected, and using closed-loop pressure controls when the active fill phase is complete or when an overfill condition is detected. The method supplies the actual clutch pressure according to a second set of open-loop pressure controls when a step in commanded clutch pressure is detected. The method monitors a fill pressure and time during the step, and applies the clutch pressure according to the closed-loop pressure controls when either value equals a corresponding threshold value. A clutch assembly has a piston for compressing clutch disks to initiate a shift event, an algorithm for controlling the shift event, and a sensor for determining an actual clutch pressure during the shift phases. The algorithm switches between closed-loop and open-loop pressure controls in response to different shift phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Bret M. Olson, Robert L. Moses, Randall B. Dlugoss
  • Patent number: 8306686
    Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system comprises a calculation module, an abnormal usage module, and memory. The calculation module calculates a vehicle usage value based on global positioning system (GPS) data and at least one data input, and calculates an expected vehicle usage value based on known vehicle characteristics and the GPS data. The abnormal usage module compares the vehicle usage value and the expected vehicle usage value. The memory stores an indicator based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventors: Randall B. Dlugoss, Kenneth K. Lang
  • Patent number: 8239106
    Abstract: A control system includes first and second clutches of a transmission and a control module. Each of the first and second clutches includes an on state and an off state. The control module cycles the first clutch between the on state and the off state using a stepped command signal while the second clutch is maintained in the on state. The control module monitors an output parameter of the transmission that is based on the stepped command signal. The control module controls the transmission based on the output parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventors: Randall B. Dlugoss, Xiao Dong Zhang, Tiffany N Vicks, Xiaoping Wu
  • Patent number: 8185285
    Abstract: A control system of a vehicle includes a pressure sensor that generates a pressure signal based on a pressure in a transmission of the vehicle. A control module determines atmospheric pressure based on the pressure signal. The control module controls operation of at least one of the transmission and an engine of the vehicle by generating a control signal based on the atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventors: Randall B. Dlugoss, Bret M. Olson
  • Patent number: 8150586
    Abstract: A method is provided for changing a gear ratio in a transmission of a motor vehicle. Engagement of a first gear-train component with a second gear-train component is initiated at a predetermined rate. Rotational speeds of the first and the second gear-train components, and whether the rotational speed of the first gear-train component and the rotational speed of the second gear-train component have substantially synchronized is determined. A rate of engagement of the two gear-train components is reduced, if the rotational speed of the first gear-train component has not substantially synchronized with rotational speed of the second gear-train component. The rate of engagement of the two gear-train components is increased, if the rotational speed of the first gear-train component has substantially synchronized with rotational speed of the second gear-train component. Following the conclusion of engagement between the two gear-train components, the gear ratio change is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Randall B. Dlugoss, Kurt Mitts
  • Patent number: 8108096
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes an engine torque module, a torque detection module, a torque estimation module, a torque monitoring module, and a diagnostic module. The engine torque module generates a first estimated torque signal based on engine signals and/or GPS signals. The torque detection module generates an actual torque signal of a transmission. The torque estimation module generates a second estimated torque signal based on the first estimated torque signal and/or vehicle/engine values. The diagnostic module detects a fault of a torque sensor based on a torque difference between the actual torque signal and the second estimated torque signal. The torque monitoring module generates a first and a second torque signals based on actual torque signals that represent a lowest and a highest torque values respectively over a predetermined period. The diagnostic module detects the fault based on a torque difference the first and the second torque signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Randall B. Dlugoss
  • Patent number: 8050828
    Abstract: A system includes a pressure sensor that measures a transmission fluid pressure at a first fluid cavity of a transmission. A transmission control module receives the transmission fluid pressure, determines a transmission fluid temperature in the first fluid cavity based on the transmission fluid pressure, and controls the transmission fluid pressure based on the transmission fluid temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventors: Randall B. Dlugoss, Bret M. Olson
  • Publication number: 20110153144
    Abstract: A pressure sensor module for a vehicle includes a sensing element module, a sampling module, a filtering module, and a monitoring module. The sensing element module measures a pressure of a fluid and outputs a pressure signal based on the pressure. The sampling module samples the pressure signal. The filtering module receives at least one filter coefficient from a control module and determines a filtered pressure based on at least one of the samples. The monitoring module receives a condition monitoring request from the control module, receives a predetermined value from the control module, and notifies the control module when a condition is satisfied based on a comparison of the predetermined value and one of the filtered pressure and a parameter determined based on the pressure signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Randall B. Dlugoss, Paul G. Otanez
  • Publication number: 20100269632
    Abstract: Provided is a fluid pressure control device that includes an actuator and a body configured to house the actuator. The body has an opening arranged to receive pressurized fluid. The fluid pressure control device additionally includes a pressure sensor incorporated into the body relative to the opening to sense fluid pressure and to generate an electrical signal indicative of the sensed pressure. Furthermore, the fluid pressure control device includes an integrated circuit incorporated into the body, and operatively connected to the pressure sensor. The integrated circuit includes a transceiver configured to communicate with an external device by transmitting the electrical signal indicative of the sensed fluid pressure to the external device and receiving a control signal from the external device. The integrated circuit additionally includes a driver configured to power the actuator in response to the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOBY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Randall B. Dlugoss
  • Publication number: 20100274432
    Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system comprises a calculation module, an abnormal usage module, and memory. The calculation module calculates a vehicle usage value based on global positioning system (GPS) data and at least one data input, and calculates an expected vehicle usage value based on known vehicle characteristics and the GPS data. The abnormal usage module compares the vehicle usage value and the expected vehicle usage value. The memory stores an indicator based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Randall B. Dlugoss, Kenneth K. Lang