Patents by Inventor Walter Joseph Ortmann

Walter Joseph Ortmann 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: 10179582
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission system having a combustion engine, an electric motor and a transmission includes a first clutch operatively connected between the engine and the motor and a one way clutch. The one way clutch is connected in parallel with the first clutch that permits the engine to increase speed with the clutch disengaged until the engine speed matches the motor speed. The engine provides positive torque through the one way clutch to the motor and transmission upon matching the motor speed. The first clutch and the one way clutch may be a hybrid rocker one way clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Walter Joseph Ortmann, Daniel Scott Colvin, Bernard D. Nefcy
  • Publication number: 20180361856
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a hybrid vehicle during operating conditions where vehicle braking is requested. In one example, regenerative braking is permitted during conditions of wheel slip so that a greater portion of a vehicle's kinetic energy may be recovered and stored as electrical energy. Additionally, the amount of regenerative braking may be adjusted responsive to a torque of a differential clutch during wheel slip conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Yanan Zhao, Ming Lang Kuang, Xiaoyong Wang, Dale Scott Crombez, Walter Joseph Ortmann
  • Publication number: 20180362017
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission are described. In one example, values of an engine spark to engine torque relationship are adjusted to improve engine torque control. The engine is subsequently operated responsive to adjusted values of the engine spark to engine torque relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Jason Meyer, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Kevin Ray Ruybal
  • Patent number: 10118605
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, a rear drive unit electric machine, an integrated starter/generator, and a transmission are described. In one example, charging of an electric energy storage device may be allocated between the rear drive unit electric machine and the integrated starter/generator to increase charge stored in the electric energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yanan Zhao, Ming Lang Kuang, Walter Joseph Ortmann
  • Patent number: 10112596
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a hybrid powertrain. The hybrid powertrain includes an engine and an electric machine. In response to a loss of controllability of the electric machine, a controller is programmed to operate the powertrain in a limited operating mode. In the limited operating mode, the powertrain is controlled so that a speed of the engine is within a speed range such that the electric machine generates a current to charge a traction battery. In response to a loss of communication with a power inverter that controls the electric machine, the powertrain is controlled so that the speed of the engine is within the speed range and the current flowing to the traction battery is monitored. If the current flow is above a threshold, then the limited operating mode is entered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Andrew Butcher, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Francis Thomas Connolly
  • Patent number: 10109176
    Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, communicating an alert to a location remote from a vehicle in response to disabling a Power Generation mode of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Wright, Walter Joseph Ortmann
  • Patent number: 10106150
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission are described. In one example, gears of a transmission may be unlocked from layshafts while an engine is stopped to conserve energy. Alternatively, the gears may be locked and unlocked from layshafts in response to vehicle operating conditions while the engine is stopped to improve driveline response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Walter Joseph Ortmann, Yanan Zhao, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Publication number: 20180257638
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission are described. In one example, gears of a transmission may be unlocked from layshafts while an engine is stopped to conserve energy. Alternatively, the gears may be locked and unlocked from layshafts in response to vehicle operating conditions while the engine is stopped to improve driveline response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Walter Joseph Ortmann, Yanan Zhao, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Publication number: 20180257634
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, a rear drive unit electric machine, an integrated starter/generator, and a transmission are described. In one example, charging of an electric energy storage device may be allocated between the rear drive unit electric machine and the integrated starter/generator to increase charge stored in the electric energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Yanan Zhao, Ming Lang Kuang, Walter Joseph Ortmann
  • Publication number: 20180251131
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, an integrated starter/generator, and a transmission are described. In one example, transmission output torque and electric machine torque are adjusted while a brake pedal and accelerator pedal are contemporaneously applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey Doering, Jason Meyer, Stan L. Bower, Xiaoyong Wang, Yanan Zhao, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Ming Kuang
  • Patent number: 10065626
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle having a motor and an engine that are selectively connected on a driveline and controlled by a controller. The controller is configured to schedule additional motor torque to compensate for engine inertia drag based upon a clutch pressure value and a clutch slip speed value during a period of clutch engagement. The controller is also configured to maintain vehicle acceleration using a proportional integral controller to adjust the motor torque during a period of clutch engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Wang, Wei Liang, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Ryan Abraham McGee
  • Publication number: 20180208173
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission, a clutch, and a controller. The clutch is configured to couple the engine and transmission during engine starts. The controller is programmed to, in response to an actual engine start time being greater than an upper threshold time for an engine start event, alter an engine start torque apply schedule for the clutch such that the actual engine start time is less than the upper threshold time for a next engine start event. The controller may be further programmed to, in response to the actual engine start time being less than a lower threshold time for the engine start event, alter the engine start torque apply schedule for the clutch such that the actual engine start time is greater than the lower threshold time for the next engine start event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Alexander O'Connor Gibson, Felix Nedorezov, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Xiaoyong Wang, Walter Joseph Ortmann
  • Publication number: 20180172137
    Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes a transmission system including a differential and an electrically powered heating device configured to selectively warm a differential fluid of the differential. The electrically powered heating device is selectively powered to warm the differential fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Mark Steven Yamazaki, Scott James Thompson, David Crist Gabriel, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Christopher Alan Lear
  • Patent number: 9988038
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hybrid vehicle driveline that includes an engine and a motor are presented. In one example, the systems and methods include one or more control modes where engine and/or motor speed or torque is adjusted responsive to different control parameters during a vehicle launch from zero speed or a creep speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chen Zhang, Rajit Johri, Xiaoyong Wang, Ming Lang Kuang, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Felix Nedorezov, Alexander O'Connor Gibson, Walter Joseph Ortmann
  • Publication number: 20180119808
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting clutch pressures and electric machine torques as a function of a stability metric threshold(s) in order to balance performance and charging of an onboard energy storage device. In one example, a method comprises during an upshift of a transmission from a first gear to a second gear, adjusting a clutch pressure of the transmission to adjust slippage of a clutch in response to a vehicle stability control parameter exceeding a threshold. In this way, torque delivered to a transmission output shaft may be reduced, which may increase vehicle stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Jason Meyer, Matthew John Shelton, Michael Glenn Fodor, Walter Joseph Ortmann
  • Patent number: 9950705
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission, a clutch, and a controller. The clutch is configured to couple the engine and transmission during engine starts. The controller is programmed to alter an engine start torque apply schedule for the clutch such that the actual engine start time is less than the upper threshold time for a next engine start event. The controller may be further programmed to, in response to the actual engine start time being less than a lower threshold time for the engine start event, alter the engine start torque apply schedule for the clutch such the actual engine start time is greater than the lower threshold time for a next engine start event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander O'Connor Gibson, Felix Nedorezov, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Xiaoyong Wang, Walter Joseph Ortmann
  • Publication number: 20170334427
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a hybrid powertrain. The hybrid powertrain includes an engine and an electric machine. In response to a loss of controllability of the electric machine, a controller is programmed to operate the powertrain in a limited operating mode. In the limited operating mode, the powertrain is controlled so that a speed of the engine is within a speed range such that the electric machine generates a current to charge a traction battery. In response to a loss of communication with a power inverter that controls the electric machine, the powertrain is controlled so that the speed of the engine is within the speed range and the current flowing to the traction battery is monitored. If the current flow is above a threshold, then the limited operating mode is entered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Jonathan Andrew BUTCHER, Walter Joseph ORTMANN, Francis Thomas CONNOLLY
  • Patent number: 9809212
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hybrid vehicle driveline that includes an engine and a motor are presented. In one example, the systems and methods include one or more control modes where engine and/or motor speed or torque is adjusted responsive to different control parameters during a vehicle launch from zero speed or a creep speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chen Zhang, Rajit Johri, Ming Lang Kuang, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Xiaoyong Wang, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Felix Nedorezov, Alexander O'Connor Gibson
  • Publication number: 20170241540
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving hybrid vehicle cooling are presented. In one example, an electric pump may supply transmission fluid to a transmission and a driveline integrated starter/generator to cool, operate, and lubricate driveline components. The electric pump may be selectively operated to conserve energy and to supply driveline cooling when driveline cooling may be desirable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Marvin Paul Kraska, Walter Joseph Ortmann
  • Patent number: 9738271
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid electric powertrain includes, in response to a request to increase a powertrain braking force on at least one of a plurality of traction wheels, (i) commanding at least one clutch to increase a gear ratio of a transmission, and (ii) during clutch stroke, commanding an electric machine to act as a generator such that the electric machine applies a braking force to at least one of the traction wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Walter Joseph Ortmann, Daniel Scott Colvin, Marvin Paul Kraska