Patents by Inventor Roger L. Huffmaster

Roger L. Huffmaster 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: 8882635
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle on an uphill incline includes automatically shifting a transmission to first gear, automatically stopping the engine, using wheel torque to maintain a one-way clutch engaged and to hold a transmission component against rotation, preventing vehicle rollback by automatically engaging a target gear and tying-up the transmission automatically restarting the engine, and automatically reengaging first gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Davor D. Hrovat, Steven G. Thomas, Alex O. Gibson, Roger L. Huffmaster
  • Publication number: 20120316029
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle on an uphill incline includes automatically shifting a transmission to first gear, automatically stopping the engine, using wheel torque to maintain a one-way clutch engaged and to hold a transmission component against rotation, preventing vehicle rollback by automatically engaging a target gear and tying-up the transmission automatically restarting the engine, and automatically reengaging first gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Davor D. Hrovat, Steven G. Thomas, Alex O. Gibson, Roger L. Huffmaster
  • Patent number: 5520159
    Abstract: A powertrain controller controls the burned gas recycling rate of an engine as a function of a desired burned gas recycling rate and an actual burned gas recycling rate. The powertrain controller generates a tractive effort request value which is indicative of a force desired by the driver at the wheels of the vehicle. An engine load request value is generated as a function of the tractive effort request value and vehicle speed and is used, along with an actual load value, which is indicative of actual engine load, to generate the desired burned gas recycling rate. The tractive effort request value and other vehicle powertrain control variables are generated according to an optimization process. The burned gas recycling system of the engine may take the form of a Delta Pressure Feedback (DPFE) Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system or a variable position camshaft system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Hsien C. Pao, Peter J. Maloney, Roger L. Huffmaster
  • Patent number: 5437253
    Abstract: A system for controlling the transient torque output of a multicylinder, variable displacement, spark-ignited, fuel injected automotive internal combustion engine during periods when the effective displacement of the engine is being changed includes a spark timing controller, a throttle controller for positioning an intake air throttle, an engine cylinder operator for deactivating and reactivating at least some of the engine's cylinders, and an engine controller having a processor for selecting the number of cylinders for operation and for operating the spark timing controller, the throttle controller, and the cylinder operator so that during any transition from operation with a first number of activated cylinders to operation with a second number of activated cylinders, the processor will alter the spark advance and control the amount of air entering the engine cylinders so that the torque output of the engine will remain relatively unchanged during the transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Roger L. Huffmaster, Jerry D. Robichaux
  • Patent number: 5374224
    Abstract: A system for controlling the transient torque output of a multicylinder, variable displacement, spark-ignited, fuel injected automotive internal combustion engine during periods when the effective displacement of the engine is being changed includes a spark timing controller, a throttle controller for positioning an intake air throttle, an engine cylinder operator for deactivating and reactivating at least some of the engine's cylinders, and an engine controller having a processor for selecting the number of cylinders for operation and for operating the spark timing controller, the throttle controller, and the cylinder operator so that during any transition from operation with a first number of activated cylinders to operation with a second number of activated cylinders, the processor will alter the spark advance and control the amount of air entering the engine cylinders so that the torque output of the engine will remain relatively unchanged during the transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Roger L. Huffmaster, Jerry D. Robichaux
  • Patent number: 5029087
    Abstract: A control for a hydrokinetic torque converter lockup clutch having a clutch plate that cooperates with a torque converter impeller shell to define a control pressure cavity wherein the clutch plate is subjected to the pressure in the torus circuit of the torque converter and wherein an electronically controlled valve system is used to modulate the pressure in the control pressure cavity thereby varying the clutch capacity to establish a controlled degree of slip of the clutch so that the actual slip of the clutch may be maintained at a target slip value which is adjusted depending upon the value of input shaft speed data and throttle position data stored in the memory of a microprocessor, the microprocessor being designed to calibrate a desired slip value for each engine torque and turbine speed condition whereby a closed-loop electronic control may be achieved to provide a partial converter bypass during the major portion of the vehicle operating time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Ronald T. Cowan, Roger L. Huffmaster, Pramod K. Jain