Patents by Inventor Thomas VALERO

Thomas VALERO 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: 11926324
    Abstract: A method for controlling connection of a driveline within a vehicle includes detecting a deceleration and/or a brake demand while the vehicle is operating in a coasting mode and the vehicle speed is above a threshold speed, determining whether the driveline can be reconnected within a threshold time, and controlling the driveline so that the driveline is not reconnected if the driveline cannot be reconnected within the threshold time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Jonathan Herring, Thomas Valero
  • Patent number: 11667290
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a method of controlling a powertrain of a vehicle, the powertrain comprising drive torque means, a transmission and a driveline, the drive torque means comprising an internal combustion engine, the method comprising: detecting that coasting entry criteria have been met; causing the powertrain to assume a first coasting mode for a first time period in which the drive torque means delivers positive drive torque to the driveline to substantially balance powertrain losses; determining a value for at least one parameter, the or each parameter being indicative of: a probability that a demand will be made for torque to be delivered to the driveline in addition to torque delivered to substantially balance powertrain losses; or a probability that a demand will be made for braking of the vehicle; and setting the value of the first time period in dependence on the value of the or each parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul Marsden, Thomas Valero, Thomas Mourre, Alex Plianos, Pavan Kumar
  • Patent number: 11407416
    Abstract: A motor vehicle stop/start control system for controlling at least a portion of a powertrain of a vehicle, the system being configured to: receive speed information indicative of vehicle speed; and receive brake information indicative that a braking system has been activated to apply brake torque; wherein the control system is further configured to cause an engine of the motor vehicle to be switched off when a first set of predetermined conditions are met, the first set of conditions including the conditions that the brake information indicates that the braking system is active and the speed information indicates that vehicle speed is a below a predetermined engine-off speed, the engine-off speed being determined by the control system at least in part by reference to information received by the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventor: Thomas Valero
  • Publication number: 20220126828
    Abstract: A method for controlling connection of a driveline within a vehicle includes detecting a deceleration and/or a brake demand while the vehicle is operating in a coasting mode and the vehicle speed is above a threshold speed, determining whether the driveline can be reconnected within a threshold time, and controlling the driveline so that the driveline is not reconnected if the driveline cannot be reconnected within the threshold time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Jonathan HERRING, Thomas VALERO
  • Patent number: 11247681
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program for controlling connection of a driveline within a vehicle (1), the method comprising: detecting a deceleration and/or brake demand while the vehicle is operating in a coasting mode and the vehicle speed is above a threshold speed, determining whether the driveline can be reconnected within a threshold time and controlling the driveline so that the driveline is not reconnected if it is determined that the driveline cannot be reconnected within the threshold time. The method alternatively comprising detecting a deceleration and/or brake demand while the vehicle is operating in a coasting mode and the vehicle speed is above a threshold speed, determining the vehicle's deceleration, determining a threshold deceleration, determining whether the vehicle's deceleration is greater or less than the threshold deceleration and controlling the driveline so that the driveline is not reconnected if the vehicle's deceleration is greater than the threshold deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Jonathan Herring, Thomas Valero
  • Publication number: 20220001391
    Abstract: A method for recovering metals from waste in which material is screened to leave a nonfibrous feedstock, the nonfeedstock is comminuted with a mill (e.g., a ball mill or rod) to liberate, flatten and separate the nonfibrous feedstock to obtain a mix of a metal fraction and residue, and the metal fraction and the residue are collected. There is a system employing the same to treat such materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas A. Valero
  • Publication number: 20210245754
    Abstract: A motor vehicle stop/start control system for controlling at least a portion of a powertrain of a vehicle, the system being configured to: receive speed information indicative of vehicle speed; and receive brake information indicative that a braking system has been activated to apply brake torque; wherein the control system is further configured to cause an engine of the motor vehicle to be switched off when a first set of predetermined conditions are met, the first set of conditions including the conditions that the brake information indicates that the braking system is active and the speed information indicates that vehicle speed is a below a predetermined engine-off speed, the engine-off speed being determined by the control system at least in part by reference to information received by the control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas VALERO
  • Patent number: 11021151
    Abstract: A motor vehicle stop/start control system (10) for controlling at least a portion of a powertrain of a vehicle, the system (10) being configured to: receive speed information (WSS) indicative of vehicle speed; and receive brake information (BPS) indicative that a braking system has been activated to apply brake torque; wherein the control system (10) is further configured to cause an engine (121) of the motor vehicle (100) to be switched off when a first set of predetermined conditions are met, the first set of conditions including the conditions that the brake information (BPS) indicates that the braking system is active and the speed information (WSS) indicates that vehicle speed is a below a predetermined engine-off speed, the engine-off speed being determined by the control system at least in part by reference to information received by the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventor: Thomas Valero
  • Patent number: 10899352
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle (1) having a torque generating machine (4); and one or more driven wheel (WD). A driveline (6) is provided for transmitting torque from the torque generating machine (4) to said one or more driven wheel. The driveline (6) includes a torque transmitting means (8). A first decoupling mechanism (11) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). The first decoupling mechanism (11) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the torque generating machine (4) and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). A second decoupling mechanism (12) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel. The second decoupling mechanism (12) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the one or more driven wheel and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Russell Osborn, Thomas Valero, Olivier Roques
  • Publication number: 20200282993
    Abstract: A motor vehicle stop/start control system (10) for controlling at least a portion of a powertrain of a vehicle, the system (10) being configured to: receive speed information (WSS) indicative of vehicle speed; and receive brake information (BPS) indicative that a braking system has been activated to apply brake torque; wherein the control system (10) is further configured to cause an engine (121) of the motor vehicle (100) to be switched off when a first set of predetermined conditions are met, the first set of conditions including the conditions that the brake information (BPS) indicates that the braking system is active and the speed information (WSS) indicates that vehicle speed is a below a predetermined engine-off speed, the engine-off speed being determined by the control system at least in part by reference to information received by the control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas VALERO
  • Patent number: 10583837
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle (1) having a torque generating machine (4); and one or more driven wheel (WD). A driveline (6) is provided for transmitting torque from the torque generating machine (4) to said one or more driven wheel. The driveline (6) includes a torque transmitting means (8). A first decoupling mechanism (11) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). The first decoupling mechanism (11) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the torque generating machine (4) and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). A second decoupling mechanism (12) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel. The second decoupling mechanism (12) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the one or more driven wheel and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Russell Osborn, Thomas Valero, Olivier Roques
  • Publication number: 20200017110
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program for controlling connection of a driveline within a vehicle (1), the method comprising: detecting a deceleration and/or brake demand while the vehicle is operating in a coasting mode and the vehicle speed is above a threshold speed, determining whether the driveline can be reconnected within a threshold time and controlling the driveline so that the driveline is not reconnected if it is determined that the driveline cannot be reconnected within the threshold time. The method alternatively comprising detecting a deceleration and/or brake demand while the vehicle is operating in a coasting mode and the vehicle speed is above a threshold speed, determining the vehicle's deceleration, determining a threshold deceleration, determining whether the vehicle's deceleration is greater or less than the threshold deceleration and controlling the driveline so that the driveline is not reconnected if the vehicle's deceleration is greater than the threshold deceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Jonathan HERRING, Thomas VALERO
  • Patent number: 10525976
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle (1) having a torque generating machine (4); and one or more driven wheel (WD). A driveline (6) is provided for transmitting torque from the torque generating machine (4) to said one or more driven wheel. The driveline (6) includes a torque transmitting means (8). A first decoupling mechanism (11) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). The first decoupling mechanism (11) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the torque generating machine (4) and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). A second decoupling mechanism (12) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel. The second decoupling mechanism (12) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the one or more driven wheel and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Russell Osborn, Thomas Valero, Olivier Roques
  • Publication number: 20190351908
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a method of controlling a powertrain of a vehicle, the powertrain comprising drive torque means, a transmission and a driveline, the drive torque means comprising an internal combustion engine, the method comprising: detecting that coasting entry criteria have been met; causing the powertrain to assume a first coasting mode for a first time period in which the drive torque means delivers positive drive torque to the driveline to substantially balance powertrain losses; determining a value for at least one parameter, the or each parameter being indicative of: a probability that a demand will be made for torque to be delivered to the driveline in addition to torque delivered to substantially balance powertrain losses; or a probability that a demand will be made for braking of the vehicle; and setting the value of the first time period in dependence on the value of the or each parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Paul MARSDEN, Thomas VALERO, Thomas MOURRE, Alex PLIANOS
  • Publication number: 20190185001
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle (1) having a torque generating machine (4); and one or more driven wheel (WD). A driveline (6) is provided for transmitting torque from the torque generating machine (4) to said one or more driven wheel. The driveline (6) includes a torque transmitting means (8). A first decoupling mechanism (11) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). The first decoupling mechanism (11) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the torque generating machine (4) and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). A second decoupling mechanism (12) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel. The second decoupling mechanism (12) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the one or more driven wheel and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Russell OSBORN, Thomas VALERO, Olivier ROQUES
  • Publication number: 20190185002
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle (1) having a torque generating machine (4); and one or more driven wheel (WD). A driveline (6) is provided for transmitting torque from the torque generating machine (4) to said one or more driven wheel. The driveline (6) includes a torque transmitting means (8). A first decoupling mechanism (11) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). The first decoupling mechanism (11) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the torque generating machine (4) and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). A second decoupling mechanism (12) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel. The second decoupling mechanism (12) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the one or more driven wheel and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Russell OSBORN, Thomas VALERO, Olivier ROQUES
  • Publication number: 20190152481
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle (1) having a torque generating machine (4); and one or more driven wheel (WD). A driveline (6) is provided for transmitting torque from the torque generating machine (4) to said one or more driven wheel. The driveline (6) includes a torque transmitting means (8). A first decoupling mechanism (11) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). The first decoupling mechanism (11) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the torque generating machine (4) and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). A second decoupling mechanism (12) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel. The second decoupling mechanism (12) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the one or more driven wheel and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Russell OSBORN, Thomas VALERO, Olivier ROQUES