Patents by Inventor Robert C. Simon, Jr.
Robert C. Simon, Jr. 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).
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Patent number: 9068517Abstract: An engine control system comprises an air control module and a spark control module. The air control module controls a throttle valve based on a first desired torque when the throttle valve is in an operable state. The spark control module controls spark advance based on the first desired torque and a second desired torque when the throttle valve is in a fault state. The throttle valve is maintained in a predetermined fault position when in the fault state.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2009Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Paul A. Bauerle, Ning Jin, Todd R. Shupe, Robert C. Simon, Jr.
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Patent number: 9050903Abstract: A method of regulating a torque output of a vehicle powertrain includes generating a plurality of torque requests and associating each of the plurality of torque requests with one of a plurality of arbitration domains to form torque request sets associated with each of the plurality of arbitration domains. A first torque request set is arbitrated within a first of the plurality of arbitration domains to provide a first torque request. The first torque request is introduced into a second torque request set associated with a second of the plurality of arbitration domains. The second torque request set is arbitrated within the second arbitration domain to provide a second torque request. A torque source is regulated based on the second torque request.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2007Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Leonard G. Wozniak, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Christopher E. Whitney, Donovan L. Dibble, Charles H. Folkerts, Joseph R. Dulzo, Thomas Magnusson, Magnus Wall, Emil Ritzen
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Patent number: 9002550Abstract: A torque estimation system for a vehicle comprises an operating parameter module, a torque estimation module, and an estimation control module. The operating parameter module determines an estimated engine operating parameter based on engine speed. The torque estimation module estimates engine torque based on the engine speed and the estimated engine operating parameter. The estimation control module provides a plurality of engine speeds to the operating parameter module and the torque estimation module to determine estimated engine torque as a function of engine speed.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2008Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Daniel G. Brennan, Leonard G. Wozniak, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Emil Ritzen, Mats A. Reimark, Richard M. Backman, Magnus Wall, Thomas Magnusson
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Patent number: 8731751Abstract: A hybrid controller for controlling a hybrid vehicle is set forth. The hybrid vehicle has an engine, an electric motor and an engine controller determining a crankshaft torque. The hybrid controller includes an optimization module determining an electric motor torque, determining an engine torque and communicating the engine torque from the hybrid controller to the engine controller. The hybrid controller also includes a motor control module controlling the electric motor based on the electric motor torque.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2009Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Inventors: Robert C. Simon, Jr., Christopher E. Whitney, William R. Cawthorne, John L. Lahti, Douglas J. Babcock, Vivek Mehta, Anthony H. Heap, Todd R. Shupe, Cheryl A. Williams, Leonard G. Wozniak, Ning Jin, Birendra P. Bhattarai, James L. Worthing
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Patent number: 8560204Abstract: An engine control system includes an air control module, a spark control module, and a reserves module. The air control module controls a throttle valve of an engine based on an adjusted predicted torque request. The spark control module controls spark timing of the engine based on an adjusted immediate torque request. The reserves module determines an arbitrated reserve based on a maximum one of a minimum reserve and an additive reserve sum. The reserves module also generates the adjusted predicted torque request based on a sum of an arbitrated predicted torque request and a requested reserve, wherein the requested reserve is based on the arbitrated reserve.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2009Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Inventors: Robert C. Simon, Jr., Christopher E. Whitney, Leonard G. Wozniak
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Patent number: 8538644Abstract: A minimum torque module selectively determines a first minimum propulsion torque based on second and third minimum propulsion torques when a torque converter clutch is in unlocked and locked states, respectively. A zero pedal torque module selectively sets a zero pedal torque equal to the first minimum propulsion torque. A pedal request module determines a pedal torque request based on an accelerator pedal position, a vehicle speed, and the zero pedal torque. A driver request module determines a driver axle torque request based on the pedal torque request. A shaping module selectively shapes the driver axle torque request into a shaped driver axle torque request. A conversion module converts the first minimum propulsion torque into a minimum axle torque. A final driver request module sets a final driver axle torque request equal to a greater of the shaped driver axle torque request and the minimum axle torque.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2010Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Robert C. Simon, Jr., William L. Aldrich, III, Jun Lu, Birendra P. Bhattarai, Adam J Heisel, Ning Jin
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Patent number: 8397694Abstract: A method of torque-based control for an internal combustion engine may include determining a desired airflow rate into an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine during an engine start condition, determining a torque limit for a torque-based engine control module based on the desired airflow rate, and regulating engine torque based on the determined torque limit.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2007Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Jon C. Miller, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Michael Livshiz, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Todd R. Shupe, Mark D. Carr
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Patent number: 8311721Abstract: A reserve torque system comprises a first module and a reserve torque module. The first module generates a first signal a predetermined period before an equivalence ratio (EQR) of an air/fuel mixture supplied to an engine is transitioned from a non-lean EQR to a lean EQR. The reserve torque module creates a reserve torque between when the first signal is generated and when the EQR is transitioned to the lean EQR.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2008Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Robert J. Genslak, Edward Stuteville, Cheryl A. Williams, Robert C. Simon, Jr.
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Patent number: 8255139Abstract: An engine control system comprises a pedal torque determination module, a driver interpretation module, and an actuation module. The pedal torque determination module determines a zero pedal torque based on a desired engine torque at a zero accelerator pedal position and a minimum torque limit for an engine system. The driver interpretation module determines a driver pedal torque based on the zero pedal torque and an accelerator pedal position. The actuation module controls at least one of a throttle area, spark timing, and a fuel command based on the driver pedal torque.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2009Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Klaus Pochner, Todd R. Shupe, Vivek Mehta, Ning Jin, Ronald W. Van Diepen, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Etsuko Muraji Stewart, Jun Lu, Enrico Tropschug, Jorg Bernards, Helmut Oswald
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Patent number: 8214127Abstract: An engine control system comprises a clutch cut off enable module and a torque control module. The clutch cut off enable module generates an enable signal based on a clutch engagement signal and an accelerator pedal signal. The torque control module reduces a spark advance of an engine to a minimum value and disables fueling of cylinders of the engine based on the enable signal. The minimum value is a minimum allowed spark advance for current engine airflow.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2008Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Jun Lu, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Todd R. Shupe
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Patent number: 8195370Abstract: A powertrain control system for a vehicle includes a plurality of axle torque request modules that generate respective axle torque requests based on respective performance criteria of a vehicle, an axle torque arbitration module that generates a net axle torque request based on the plurality of axle torque requests, a plurality of propulsion torque request modules that generate respective propulsion torque requests based on respective performance criteria of an engine of the vehicle, a propulsion torque arbitration module that determines a net engine torque request based on the net axle torque request and the plurality of propulsion torque requests, and a propulsion torque control module that controls a plurality of actuators based on the net engine torque request such that the engine produces an output torque in accordance with the net engine torque request.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2007Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Inventors: Robert C. Simon, Jr., Leonard G. Wozniak, Michael Livshiz, Christopher E. Whitney, Charles H. Folkerts, Scott J. Chynoweth, David J. Stroh
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Patent number: 8116954Abstract: An engine control module comprises a torque control module, an engine speed (RPM) control module, and an actuator module. The torque control module determines a first desired torque based on a requested torque. The RPM control module selectively determines a second desired torque based on a desired RPM. The torque control module determines the first desired torque further based on the second desired torque when the engine control module is transitioning from an RPM control mode to a torque control mode. The RPM control module determines the second desired torque further based on the first desired torque when the engine control module is transitioning from the torque control mode to the RPM control mode. The actuator module controls an actuator of an engine based on the first and second desired torques.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Scott J. Chynoweth, Todd R. Shupe, Christopher E. Whitney, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Vivek Mehta, Ning Jin
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Patent number: 8086392Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Inventors: Igor Anilovich, Jeffry A. Helmick, Richard B. Jess, John W. Siekkinen, Christopher E. Whitney, Robert C. Simon, Jr.
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Publication number: 20110257854Abstract: A minimum torque module selectively determines a first minimum propulsion torque based on second and third minimum propulsion torques when a torque converter clutch is in unlocked and locked states, respectively. A zero pedal torque module selectively sets a zero pedal torque equal to the first minimum propulsion torque. A pedal request module determines a pedal torque request based on an accelerator pedal position, a vehicle speed, and the zero pedal torque. A driver request module determines a driver axle torque request based on the pedal torque request. A shaping module selectively shapes the driver axle torque request into a shaped driver axle torque request. A conversion module converts the first minimum propulsion torque into a minimum axle torque. A final driver request module sets a final driver axle torque request equal to a greater of the shaped driver axle torque request and the minimum axle torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2010Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Robert C. Simon, JR., William L. Aldrich, III, Jun Lu, Birendra P. Bhattarai, Adam J. Heisel, Ning Jin
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Patent number: 7894968Abstract: A method and system for regulating a drive torque provided to a driveline of a vehicle includes monitoring an accelerator pedal position and a brake pedal position. An adjusted accelerator pedal position is determined based on the accelerator pedal position and the brake pedal position and a drive torque request is determined based on the adjusted accelerator pedal position. Drive torque is generated based on the drive torque request.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2007Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Inventors: David J. Stroh, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Leonard G. Wozniak, William R. Cawthorne
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Patent number: 7856309Abstract: A cold-start control system for an internal combustion engine includes a heat estimation module, a torque request module and a propulsion torque determination module. The heat estimation module determines an exhaust system temperature and estimates heat required to heat an exhaust system to a predetermined temperature. The torque request module generates a torque request based on the estimated heat. The propulsion torque determination module determines a desired engine torque based on the torque request.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2008Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Inventors: Christopher A Gillanders, John L. Lahti, Louis A. Avallone, Jon C. Miller, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Todd R. Shupe, Jaehak Jung, William R. Cawthorne, Leonard G. Wozniak
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Patent number: 7822528Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 7, 2008Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Richard B. Jess, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Weixin Yan, Michael Livshiz, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Leonard G. Wozniak
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Publication number: 20100242933Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Igor Anilovich, Jeffry A. Helmick, Richard B. Jess, John W. Siekkinen, Christopher E. Whitney, Robert C. Simon, JR.
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Patent number: 7748362Abstract: An engine control system includes an air control module, a spark control module, a torque control module, a transient detection module, and a launch torque module. The air control module controls a throttle valve of an engine based on a commanded predicted torque. The spark control module controls spark advance of the engine based on a commanded immediate torque. The torque control module increases the commanded predicted torque when a catalyst light-off (CLO) mode is active, and increases the commanded immediate torque when a driver actuates an accelerator input. The transient detection module generates a lean transient signal when an air per cylinder increase is detected while the CLO mode is active. The launch torque module generates a torque offset signal based on the lean transient signal. The torque control module increases the commanded immediate torque based on the torque offset signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2009Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Michael S. Emmorey, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Cheryl A. Williams, Jon C. Wasberg, Eric Ferch, Craig M. Sawdon
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Publication number: 20100116250Abstract: An engine control system includes an air control module, a spark control module, and a reserves module. The air control module controls a throttle valve of an engine based on an adjusted predicted torque request. The spark control module controls spark timing of the engine based on an adjusted immediate torque request. The reserves module determines an arbitrated reserve based on a maximum one of a minimum reserve and an additive reserve sum. The reserves module also generates the adjusted predicted torque request based on a sum of an arbitrated predicted torque request and a requested reserve, wherein the requested reserve is based on the arbitrated reserve.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2009Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Robert C. Simon, JR., Christopher E. Whitney, Leonard G. Wozniak