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).

  • Publication number: 20100274443
    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: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Randall B. Dlugoss
  • Publication number: 20100274453
    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: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Randall B. Dlugoss, Kurt Mitts
  • Publication number: 20100250077
    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: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Randall B. Dlugoss, Xiao Dong Zhang, Tiffany N. Vicks, Xiaoping Wu
  • Publication number: 20100222961
    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: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Randall B. Dlugoss
  • Publication number: 20100168967
    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: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Randall B. Dlugoss, John R. Maten, Micheal P. Portell
  • Publication number: 20100076654
    Abstract: A control system of a vehicle comprises a torque sensor, a vehicle direction module, and a control module. The torque sensor determines a driveline torque signal based on a torque produced by a device of a driveline. The vehicle direction module determines whether a vehicle direction includes one of a forward direction and a reverse direction based on the driveline torque signal. The control module controls the vehicle based on the vehicle direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Randall B. Dlugoss, Micheal P. Portell
  • Publication number: 20090254256
    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: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Randall B. Dlugoss, Bret M. Olson
  • Publication number: 20090254257
    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: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Randall B. Dlugoss, Bret M. Olson
  • Patent number: 7590480
    Abstract: An adaptive shift learn control system for rapidly updating an adaptive shift system that regulates shifting of a transmission includes first and second clutches and a control module that cycles the first clutch between an ON state and an OFF state while the second clutch is in a full OFF state. The control module monitors a parameter of the transmission during the cycling, calculates a clutch characteristic based on the parameter and updates the adaptive shift control system based on the clutch characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall B. Dlugoss
  • Publication number: 20090209383
    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: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Bret M. Olson, Robert L. Moses, Randall B. Dlugoss