Patents by Inventor Richard B. Jess

Richard B. Jess 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: 8234049
    Abstract: A control module includes a predicted torque control module that determines a desired throttle area based on a transmission torque request and a desired predicted torque. A throttle security module determines a throttle limit based on the desired throttle area and the desired predicted torque and determines an adjusted desired throttle area based on the throttle limit. A throttle actuator module adjusts a throttle based on the adjusted desired throttle area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph M. Stempnik, Richard B. Jess, Bahram Younessi, Mark H. Costin, Michael L. Kociba, Paul A. Bauerle, Bryan D. Lehman, William R. Mayhew, Andrew W. Baur
  • Publication number: 20120173046
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a communication module and a vehicle stop module. The communication module receives a command from a vehicle services provider (VSP) to decrease a speed of the vehicle to a desired speed, wherein the VSP is located remotely with respect to the vehicle. In response to the received command, the vehicle stop module decreases the speed of the vehicle to the desired speed by controlling at least one of a transmission, an electronic parking brake, and electronically assisted brakes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Richard Durkin, Richard B. Jess, John Douglas Tursell
  • Publication number: 20120130609
    Abstract: A control system includes a shift detection module, a request generation module, and a request setting module. The shift detection module detects when a transmission is executing a shift. The request generation module generates a transmission torque request to cause an engine to increase a transmission input shaft speed to a desired speed at a desired gear ratio when the transmission is executing the shift. The request setting module selectively sets the transmission torque request equal to a default torque request when the transmission torque request is greater than a first torque and the engine is coupled to a drive wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard B. Jess, Stephen Lewis Pudvay, Pascal Tissot, Vincent Holtz, Christopher J. Trush, Timothy J. Hartrey
  • Patent number: 8181627
    Abstract: An engine system includes a throttle actuator module and a torque control module. The throttle actuator module controls a throttle actuator based on a desired throttle area. The torque control module determines an actuator torque. The torque control module determines a rate limited torque, a maximum torque, and a minimum torque based on the actuator torque and a predetermined rate of change. The torque control module determines the desired throttle area based on the actuator torque when the rate limited torque is greater than the maximum torque. The torque control module determines the desired throttle area based on the actuator torque when the rate limited torque is less than the minimum torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventors: Kevin T. Sharples, Mark H. Costin, Timothy J. Hartrey, Christopher E. Whitney, Bahram Younessi, Weixin Yan, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Richard B. Jess, Joseph M. Stempnik, John A. Jacobs, Jinchun Peng, Leonard G. Wozniak, Vivek Mehta, Bruce A. Rogers
  • Patent number: 8170759
    Abstract: An engine control system of a vehicle comprises a torque module and a chassis request evaluation module. The torque module controls a torque output of an engine based on a driver torque request and selectively increases the torque output based on a chassis torque request. The chassis request evaluation module selectively prevents the increase of the torque output based on at least one of a vehicle speed, a transmission state, and an accelerator pedal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventors: Richard B. Jess, Mark T. Hutchinson, Joseph M. Stempnik, Michael L. Kociba, Mark H. Costin, Paul A. Bauerle, Michael J. Pitsch
  • Patent number: 8146345
    Abstract: An oxygen storage capacity (OSC) monitoring system for a vehicle having a catalytic converter includes a control module that determines a measured OSC based on an inlet sensor signal (ISS) that is responsive to an oxygen content of exhaust flowing into the catalytic converter. The control module determines a normalization ratio based the measured OSC and determines a PASS/FAIL status of the catalytic converter based on the normalization ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventors: Wenbo Wang, Richard B. Jess, David N. Belton
  • Patent number: 8147378
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a torque determination module, a limit determination module, a torque limit module, and a torque control module. The torque determination module determines a desired torque based on a desired engine speed. The limit determination module determines a torque limit based on one of an engine oil temperature and a transmission fluid temperature. The torque limit module determines a final torque based on the desired torque and the torque limit. The torque control module selectively determines a throttle area based on the final torque. A throttle valve is actuated based on the throttle area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Timothy J. Hartrey, Todd R. Shupe, Ning Jin, Etsuko Muraji Stewart, Richard B. Jess
  • Patent number: 8112214
    Abstract: A system for limiting the speed of a vehicle includes a first module that generates a first torque signal based on a vehicle speed, a second module that generates a second torque signal based on a difference between a predetermined vehicle speed limit and the vehicle speed, and a third module that generates an output torque signal based on the first and second torque signals. The output torque signal is adapted to control the output torque of a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventors: Chad W. Lehner, Richard H. Clutz, William G. Howell, Mark T. Hutchinson, Richard B. Jess, Bahram Younessi, Ronald C. Allison
  • Publication number: 20120029742
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain and a method of controlling a throttle in an engine of the hybrid powertrain are provided. A throttle system has a throttle at an optimal position for the engine to power a first motor/generator when an electric throttle motor is de-energized to minimize current consumption by the throttle motor. The electric throttle motor is energizable to adjust the position of the throttle. A biasing member biases the throttle to a default position when the electric throttle motor is not energized. The hybrid powertrain has a first motor/generator operatively connected to the engine, and a second motor/generator operatively connected to the generator and operable for providing output power. The engine is operable in a predetermined optimal state to provide power to the generator for powering the first motor/generator. The throttle is at a predetermined position when the engine is in the predetermined optimal state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: James L. Worthing, John N. Stockbridge, Thomas Richard Durkin, Joseph E. Ploucha, Richard B. Jess, Brian D. Essenmacher
  • Patent number: 8086392
    Abstract: An engine control system includes an oxygen (O2) sensor diagnostic module that diagnoses an O2 sensor and requests a minimum air per cylinder (APC). A throttle actuator module controls a throttle to adjust a mass air flow based on the minimum APC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventors: Igor Anilovich, Jeffry A. Helmick, Richard B. Jess, John W. Siekkinen, Christopher E. Whitney, Robert C. Simon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8047961
    Abstract: An engine control system of a vehicle comprises a first module and a cylinder deactivation module. The first module selectively adjusts torque output by an engine based on a vehicle torque request that is greater than a driver torque request. The cylinder deactivation module selectively deactivates a cylinder of the engine when a difference between an estimated maximum torque output of the engine and the driver torque request is greater than a predetermined maximum torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventors: Richard B. Jess, Bahram Younessi, Michael L. Kociba, Joseph M. Stempnik, Andrew W. Baur
  • Patent number: 8046128
    Abstract: A fault clearing system and method for an engine control system includes a plurality of processor modules to control and monitor the engine and set a plurality of faults. The plurality of processor modules includes an electronic throttle control (ETC) module to control and monitor a throttle of the engine, and a plurality of engine sensors and ETC sensors. An ETC diagnostic module monitors the ETC sensors and engine sensors, with the ETC diagnostic module setting a low voltage induced fault. The ETC diagnostic module will also enter one of a plurality of low voltage states in response to the low voltage induced fault. The ETC diagnostic module selectively controls the ETC module and selectively clears the faults in the ETC module and plurality of processor modules upon entry into one of the low voltage states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventors: Paul A. Bauerle, Sharon L. Storch, Joseph M. Stempnik, Richard B. Jess, James L. Worthing, Daniel G. Bolstrum
  • Patent number: 8041478
    Abstract: A vehicle speed module includes a speed arbitration module that receives at least two of a wheel speed, a transmission output speed (TOS), and an electric motor speed (EMS), and that determines a vehicle speed based on a comparison of the at least two of the wheel speed, the TOS, and the EMS. A speed diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault in one of a wheel speed sensor, a TOS sensor, and an EMS sensor based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Inventors: Joseph M. Stempnik, Richard B. Jess, Daniel P. Grenn, Tracey A. Bagley-Reed, Ronald W. Van Diepen, Mark H. Costin, Michael A. Turley, Sandra J. Nelson, Bryan D. Lehman
  • Patent number: 8027780
    Abstract: A method and control module for controlling an engine includes a requested torque module that generates a requested torque and a maximum toque capacity module that determines a maximum torque capacity corresponding to a maximum torque capacity of the engine. A launch trim torque threshold determination module determines a launch trim torque threshold. A comparison module that compares the requested torque and the launch trim torque threshold. An output module that applies a fast rate limit to the requested torque up to the launch trim threshold when the requested torque is less than the launch trim torque threshold and a shower rate limited torque request when the requested torque is greater than the launch trim torque threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Todd R. Shupe, Vivek Mehta, Kristian Keary, Richard B. Jess
  • Publication number: 20110132324
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine of a vehicle includes generating a first torque request. The method includes generating a second torque request that is greater than and based on the first torque request, increasing a torque output of the engine based on the second torque request at a first rate and during a first period, and increasing the torque output of the engine based on the first torque request at a second rate and during a second period. The first period is distinct from and before the second period, and the first rate is greater than the second rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael L. Kociba, Richard B. Jess, Zhong Li, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Michael Livshiz
  • Publication number: 20110060487
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a derivative module and a slip remediation module. The derivative module determines a mathematical derivative of a driven wheel speed of a vehicle. The slip remediation module, when the mathematical derivative is more negative than a predetermined deceleration, at least one of disables regenerative braking being performed by one or more electric motors, increases an axle torque request, and unlocks a torque converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard B. Jess, Paul A. Bauerle, Christopher E. Whitney, James L. Worthing, Michael L. Kociba
  • Patent number: 7856304
    Abstract: A method of achieving a desired torque output of an internal combustion engine includes determining a first air-per-cylinder (APC) value based on a first APC relationship and determining a second APC value based on a second APC relationship. An APC error is determined based on the second APC value. Operation of the engine is regulated based on the first APC value when the APC error is greater than a threshold error. Operation of the engine based on the second APC value when the APC error is not greater than the threshold error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Christopher E. Whitney, John A. Jacobs, Richard B. Jess
  • Publication number: 20100280738
    Abstract: A method and control module for controlling an engine includes a requested torque module that generates a requested torque and a maximum toque capacity module that determines a maximum torque capacity corresponding to a maximum torque capacity of the engine. A launch trim torque threshold determination module determines a launch trim torque threshold. A comparison module that compares the requested torque and the launch trim torque threshold. An output module that applies a fast rate limit to the requested torque up to the launch trim threshold when the requested torque is less than the launch trim torque threshold and a shower rate limited torque request when the requested torque is greater than the launch trim torque threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OEPRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher E. WHITNEY, Todd R. SHUPE, Vivek MEHTA, Kristian KEARY, Richard B. JESS
  • Patent number: 7822528
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a torque request module, an immediate torque control module, an actuation module, and an expected torque control module. The torque request module generates an expected torque request and an immediate torque request. The immediate torque control module controls a spark advance of an engine based on the immediate torque request. The actuation module selectively reduces the expected torque request based on the immediate torque request and a spark capacity. The spark capacity is based on a difference between a first engine torque and a second engine torque, determined at a current airflow. The first engine torque is determined at a first spark advance and the second engine torque is determined at a second spark advance that is less than the first spark advance. The expected torque control module that controls a throttle valve area based on the expected torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Richard B. Jess, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Weixin Yan, Michael Livshiz, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Leonard G. Wozniak
  • Publication number: 20100242933
    Abstract: An engine control system includes an oxygen (O2) sensor diagnostic module that diagnoses an O2 sensor and requests a minimum air per cylinder (APC). A throttle actuator module controls a throttle to adjust a mass air flow based on the minimum APC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Igor Anilovich, Jeffry A. Helmick, Richard B. Jess, John W. Siekkinen, Christopher E. Whitney, Robert C. Simon, JR.