Patents by Inventor Steve Michael Cicala

Steve Michael Cicala 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).

  • Method and system for starting an engine
    Patent number: 11400913
    Abstract: A method and system for operating a vehicle that includes a driveline disconnect clutch and a step-ratio transmission is described. In one example, the method includes shifting the step-ratio transmission to neutral and accelerating an engine to an expected input shaft speed of the step-ratio transmission via applying full output capacity of an electric machine to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Corey James Blue, Scott James Thompson, Kendrick Morrison, Scott Patrick Ries, Steve Michael Cicala, Kurt Howard Nickerson
  • Methods and system for adapting operation of a transmission clutch
    Patent number: 11077856
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes an engine and an electric machine are described. In one example, an actual total number of transmission gear downshifts are counted to determine whether or not a transmission clutch characterization is immature. The transmission clutch characterization may be adjusted if it is determined to be immature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jaewon Choi, Jianping Zhang, Steve Michael Cicala, Kendrick Morrison, Kurt Howard Nickerson
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR STARTING AN ENGINE
    Publication number: 20210107444
    Abstract: A method and system for operating a vehicle that includes a driveline disconnect clutch and a step-ratio transmission is described. In one example, the method includes shifting the step-ratio transmission to neutral and accelerating an engine to an expected input shaft speed of the step-ratio transmission via applying full output capacity of an electric machine to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Corey James Blue, Scott James Thompson, Kendrick Morrison, Scott Patrick Ries, Steve Michael Cicala, Kurt Howard Nickerson
  • METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR ADAPTING OPERATION OF A TRANSMISSION CLUTCH
    Publication number: 20200377103
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes an engine and an electric machine are described. In one example, an actual total number of transmission gear downshifts are counted to determine whether or not a transmission clutch characterization is immature. The transmission clutch characterization may be adjusted if it is determined to be immature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Jaewon Choi, Jianping Zhang, Steve Michael Cicala, Kendrick Morrison, Kurt Howard Nickerson
  • Method for controlling a transmission coupled to an engine that may be automatically stopped
    Patent number: 9238457
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a transmission coupled to an engine during an engine start are presented. In one example, a method adjusts a transmission tie-up force in response to an indication of transmission slip. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Steve Michael Cicala, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Felix Nedorezov, Eric Frank Banners, Hong Jiang, Donald G. Levens
  • METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A TRANSMISSION COUPLED TO AN ENGINE THAT MAY BE AUTOMATICALLY STOPPED
    Publication number: 20150038294
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a transmission coupled to an engine during an engine start are presented. In one example, a method adjusts a transmission tie-up force in response to an indication of transmission slip. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Steve Michael Cicala, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Felix Nedorezov, Eric Frank Banners, Hong Jiang, Donald G. Levens
  • Method for controlling a transmission coupled to an engine that may be automatically stopped
    Patent number: 8864623
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a transmission coupled to an engine during an engine start are presented. In one example, a method adjusts a transmission tie-up force in response to an indication of transmission slip. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Steve Michael Cicala, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Felix Nedorezov, Eric Frank Banners, Hong Jiang, Donald G. Levens
  • METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A TRANSMISSION COUPLED TO AN ENGINE THAT MAY BE AUTOMATICALLY STOPPED
    Publication number: 20120115679
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a transmission coupled to an engine during an engine start are presented. In one example, a method adjusts a transmission tie-up force in response to an indication of transmission slip. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Steve Michael Cicala, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Felix Nedorezov, Eric Frank Banners, Hong Jiang, Donald G. Levens