Patents by Inventor Scott R. Verna

Scott R. Verna 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: 8315768
    Abstract: A transmission control module for a vehicle transmission includes a gear determination module, a predictive shift module, and a validation module. The gear determination module commands a first shift configuration based on an actual pedal position. The predictive shift module calculates a predicted pedal position based on the actual pedal position and commands a second shift configuration based on the predicted pedal position. The validation module validates the predicted pedal position and selectively cancels the second shift configuration based on the validation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Inventors: Xuefeng Tim Tao, Bradley J. Lemmen, Scott R. Verna, John E. Marano, James L. Lanzon
  • Patent number: 8133154
    Abstract: A control system for determining a desired gear ratio of an automatic transmission includes a pedal rate module that determines a pedal rate of an accelerator pedal, and a shift module that determines the desired gear ratio of the transmission based on a position of the accelerator pedal and the pedal rate. The shift module determines the desired gear ratio based on a comparison of the pedal rate and a predetermined rate. The predetermined rate is based on a first period since the transmission shifted into a current gear. The shift module also determines the desired gear ratio based on one of a second period the pedal rate remains less than a positive rate and a third period the pedal rate remains greater than a negative rate. A related control method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventors: Xuefeng Tim Tao, David Chris Webert, John E. Marano, Scott R. Verna
  • Patent number: 7912617
    Abstract: A method for controlling trapped air in a clutch of an automatic clutch-to-clutch transmission includes, calculating a pulse on time based on a clutch volume and adaptive convergence. A pulse off time is calculated based on a temperature of transmission fluid. A pulse number is calculated based on the temperature of transmission fluid. A maximum pressure is commanded to the clutch based on the pulse on time and a minimum pressure is then commanded to the clutch based on the pulse off time. A pulse counter is incremented when the pulse off time expires. The steps of commanding maximum pressure, then commanding minimum pressure, and incrementing the pulse counter are repeated until the pulse counter equals a desired pulse number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventors: David W. Wright, Bryan J. Williams, Scott R. Verna
  • Publication number: 20090233765
    Abstract: A control system for determining a desired gear ratio of an automatic transmission includes a pedal rate module that determines a pedal rate of an accelerator pedal, and a shift module that determines the desired gear ratio of the transmission based on a position of the accelerator pedal and the pedal rate. The shift module determines the desired gear ratio based on a comparison of the pedal rate and a predetermined rate. The predetermined rate is based on a first period since the transmission shifted into a current gear. The shift module also determines the desired gear ratio based on one of a second period the pedal rate remains less than a positive rate and a third period the pedal rate remains greater than a negative rate. A related control method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Xuefeng Tim Tao, David Chris Webert, John E. Marano, Scott R. Verna
  • Publication number: 20090210122
    Abstract: A transmission control module for a vehicle transmission includes a gear determination module, a predictive shift module, and a validation module. The gear determination module commands a first shift configuration based on an actual pedal position. The predictive shift module calculates a predicted pedal position based on the actual pedal position and commands a second shift configuration based on the predicted pedal position. The validation module validates the predicted pedal position and selectively cancels the second shift configuration based on the validation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Xuefeng Tim Tao, Bradley J. Lemmen, Scott R. Verna, John E. Marano, James L. Lanzon