Patents by Inventor William Paul Perkins
William Paul Perkins 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).
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Patent number: 8560153Abstract: A method and a system for controlling a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has first and second propulsion devices. The vehicle determines a calculated decline in state of charge (SOC) for a charge depleting mode for a battery coupled to the first propulsion device. The vehicle is operated to achieve the calculated decline in SOC. The vehicle operates the second propulsion device for at least a predetermined time after the second propulsion device is turned on during the charge depleting mode.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2011Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Ming Lang Kuang, William Paul Perkins, Brandon R. Masterson, Derek Hartl
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Patent number: 8537030Abstract: A pedestrian warning or alert system and method are disclosed. The warning system is mounted on an electric vehicle. The warning system includes a front speaker system, a rear speaker system, a front pedestrian detector, a rear pedestrian detector, and an electronic control unit (ECU) electronically coupled to the front speaker system, the rear speaker system, the front pedestrian detector, and the rear pedestrian detector. The ECU commands the front speaker system to emit a warning sound based on the front pedestrian detector detecting a pedestrian-shaped object and commands the rear speaker system to emit a warning sound based on the rear pedestrian detector detecting a pedestrian-shaped object. The ECU is coupled to a microphone, the signal of which is used to estimate an ambient noise level. The intensity and frequency of the warning sound commanded from the front and/or rear speaker system is based on the ambient noise level.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2010Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: William Paul Perkins
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Patent number: 8467926Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for raising the speed of a hybrid electric vehicle operating in an electric-only mode. During conditions when the vehicle is driven only by an electric motor, vehicle speed may be raised by spinning the engine unfueled using power from a system battery, while adjusting valve operation to reduce engine pumping losses. In this way, vehicle speed may be raised more efficiently and without damaging rotating transmission components.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2011Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: William Paul Perkins, Scott James Thompson
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Publication number: 20130116866Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for raising the speed of a hybrid electric vehicle operating in an electric-only mode. During conditions when the vehicle is driven only by an electric motor, vehicle speed may be raised by spinning the engine unfueled using power from a system battery, while adjusting valve operation to reduce engine pumping losses. In this way, vehicle speed may be raised more efficiently and without damaging rotating transmission components.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2011Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: William Paul Perkins, Scott James Thompson
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Patent number: 8433473Abstract: A system and method is provided for indicating an efficiency level of energy usage by an automotive vehicle to a passenger in the vehicle. The system includes a computer-readable storage medium, a controller, an interior-lighting system, and a display unit. The controller processes energy usage signals to obtain the given operating mode of the vehicle as well as indications of energy usage amounts that the passenger can control. The controller determines the efficiency level of energy usage by the vehicle based on the energy usage amounts and the given operating mode. The interior-lighting system illuminates at least a portion of the passenger compartment with ambient light having defined characteristics including a luminance and a color, the ambient light indicating the efficiency level. The display unit displays a graphical representation of the efficiency level.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2010Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: William Paul Perkins, Renata Michaela Arsenault, Alan McDonald, Richard M. Isaacs, Steven A. Daleiden, Allen Dennis Dobryden, Jimmy H. Kapadia
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Publication number: 20130073113Abstract: A method to control a vehicle includes assigning a predicted driving pattern to a predicted path for the vehicle, and providing a range for the vehicle using the predicted energy efficiency and an amount of energy available to the vehicle. The predicted driving pattern has an associated predicted energy efficiency. A vehicle includes a propulsion device coupled to wheels of the vehicle via a transmission, and a controller electronically coupled to the propulsion device. The controller is configured to: (i) assign a predicted driving pattern to a predicted path for the vehicle, the predicted driving pattern having a predicted energy efficiency, and (ii) provide a range for the vehicle using the predicted energy efficiency and an amount of energy available to the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2011Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Qing Wang, Hai Yu, William Paul Perkins, Anthony Mark Phillips, Ryan Skaff, Johannes Geir Kristinsson
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Patent number: 8361193Abstract: A system and method is provided for electrostatic air filtering in automotive vehicles, such as electric and hybrid electric vehicles. The system includes an electrical distribution system and an electrostatic filtering system having discharge electrodes and an accumulation electrode. The distribution system is in high-voltage electrical communication with the filtering system as well as an electric motor and a high-voltage energy storage device in the vehicle. In operation, the distribution system distributes high-voltage electric power to the filtering system. The filtering system receives the high-voltage electric power to generate a high-voltage electrostatic potential between the accumulation electrode and the discharge electrodes to remove particulates from air flowing through a region of the electrostatic filtering system.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2010Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: William Paul Perkins, Renata Michaela Arsenault, Jimmy H. Kapadia, Steven A. Daleiden, Alan McDonald, Richard Michael Isaacs, Allen Dennis Dobryden, Matthew Fleming
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Publication number: 20120306412Abstract: An automotive electric drive system may include an electric power source, an electric machine, and a DC-DC power converter electrically connected between the electric power source and the electric machine. The DC-DC power converter may include an inductor and a first switch each disposed in a different current path connecting the electric power source and the electric machine. The currents paths may be electrically in parallel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Yuqing Tang, Hongjie Wu, William Paul Perkins
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Publication number: 20120116626Abstract: A method for increasing fuel economy of a vehicle such as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) having an engine and a battery each configured to supply power to propel the vehicle includes supplying power from the battery and operating the engine below peak efficiency to supply from the engine only the difference in power between a demanded power and the power which the battery can deliver when the demanded power exceeds the power which the battery can deliver.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2012Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: William Paul Perkins, Ming Lang Kuang, Shunsuke Okubo
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Patent number: 8080909Abstract: An electric motor which has a separate end cap heat exchanger, through which a liquid coolant is passed, is disclosed. In one example embodiment, the electric motor is a traction motor or motor-generator in a hybrid electric vehicle having an internal combustion engine. Additionally, in one embodiment, the heat exchanger has a low-temperature coolant loop configured to extract energy from the motor coolant. The electric motor may be installed in a variety of vehicles or other applications having greatly differing cooling requirements. By placing the heat exchanger and control componentry in the end cap, the cooling capability of the electric motor can be changed by selecting an end cap with the appropriate heat transfer characteristics and control componentry to provide the desired cooling. Consequently, a single electric motor, with a variety of end cap choices, can be used in a variety of applications.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2009Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: William Paul Perkins
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Publication number: 20110276205Abstract: A total power demand including a wheel power demand may be observed. The wheel power demand may be modified to determine a modified total power demand including a modified wheel power demand if the total power demand falls within a target range of power values defined by upper and lower threshold power values such that the modified total power demand is generally equal to the lower threshold power value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2010Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Derek Hartl, Linda K. Ringlein, Ryan J. Skaff, Christopher Adam Ochocinski, William Paul Perkins
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Publication number: 20110251782Abstract: A method for determining and comparing vehicle fuel economy for several different preselected vehicles. The method includes selecting a plurality of vehicles to compare. The user inputs a driving route and a driving style through a user interface into the system. The system utilizes predetermined vehicle fuel economy information along with the driving route and driving style to calculate fuel economy values for each of the selected vehicle models. The system then displays the fuel economy values for each of the selected vehicles to provide a comparison between the selected vehicles over the predetermined driving route using the selected driving style.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: William Paul Perkins, Fazal Urrahman Syed, Derek Hartl, Matthew Fleming
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Publication number: 20110202223Abstract: A method and a system for controlling a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has first and second propulsion devices. The vehicle determines a calculated decline in state of charge (SOC) for a charge depleting mode for a battery coupled to the first propulsion device. The vehicle is operated to achieve the calculated decline in SOC. The vehicle operates the second propulsion device for at least a predetermined time after the second propulsion device is turned on during the charge depleting mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2011Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Ming Lang Kuang, William Paul Perkins, Brandon R. Masterson, Derek Hartl
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Publication number: 20110199199Abstract: A pedestrian warning or alert system and method are disclosed. The warning system is mounted on an electric vehicle. The warning system includes a front speaker system, a rear speaker system, a front pedestrian detector, a rear pedestrian detector, and an electronic control unit (ECU) electronically coupled to the front speaker system, the rear speaker system, the front pedestrian detector, and the rear pedestrian detector. The ECU commands the front speaker system to emit a warning sound based on the front pedestrian detector detecting a pedestrian-shaped object and commands the rear speaker system to emit a warning sound based on the rear pedestrian detector detecting a pedestrian-shaped object. The ECU is coupled to a microphone, the signal of which is used to estimate an ambient noise level. The intensity and frequency of the warning sound commanded from the front and/or rear speaker system is based on the ambient noise level.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2010Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: William Paul Perkins
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Publication number: 20110178670Abstract: A system and method is provided for indicating an efficiency level of energy usage by an automotive vehicle to a passenger in the vehicle. The system includes a computer-readable storage medium, a controller, an interior-lighting system, and a display unit. The controller processes energy usage signals to obtain the given operating mode of the vehicle as well as indications of energy usage amounts that the passenger can control. The controller determines the efficiency level of energy usage by the vehicle based on the energy usage amounts and the given operating mode. The interior-lighting system illuminates at least a portion of the passenger compartment with ambient light having defined characteristics including a luminance and a color, the ambient light indicating the efficiency level. The display unit displays a graphical representation of the efficiency level.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2010Publication date: July 21, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: William Paul Perkins, Renata Michaela Arsenault, Alan McDonald, Richard M. Isaacs, Steven A. Daleiden, Allen Dennis Dobryden, Jimmy H. Kapadia
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Publication number: 20110168463Abstract: A system and method is provided for electrostatic air filtering in automotive vehicles, such as electric and hybrid electric vehicles. The system includes an electrical distribution system and an electrostatic filtering system having discharge electrodes and an accumulation electrode. The distribution system is in high-voltage electrical communication with the filtering system as well as an electric motor and a high-voltage energy storage device in the vehicle. In operation, the distribution system distributes high-voltage electric power to the filtering system. The filtering system receives the high-voltage electric power to generate a high-voltage electrostatic potential between the accumulation electrode and the discharge electrodes to remove particulates from air flowing through a region of the electrostatic filtering system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2010Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: William Paul Perkins, Renata Michaela Arsenault, Jimmy H. Kapadia, Steven A. Daleiden, Alan McDonald, Richard Michael Isaacs, Allen Dennis Dobryden, Matthew Fleming
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Publication number: 20110165829Abstract: An automotive vehicle may include a container, a battery disposed within the container and configured to provide motive power for the vehicle, and a battery climate system configured to move air from the cabin to the container. The vehicle may also include at least one controller configured to, while the vehicle is in a non-propulsion mode, receive a request to activate the battery climate system and, in response to the request, activate the battery climate system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2010Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Derek Hartl, Christopher Adam Ochocinski, William Paul Perkins
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Publication number: 20110015844Abstract: An automotive vehicle may include one or more controllers, a braking system and an electric machine. The one or more controllers may be configured to determine whether the vehicle is about to roll over. The braking system may be configured to apply a braking torque for a time period, under the command of the one or more controllers, to a front traction wheel to cause the front traction wheel to skid or slide relative to a road if the vehicle is about to roll over. The electric machine may be configured to generate a propulsion torque, under the command of the one or more controllers, during the time period.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2009Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: William Paul Perkins, Michael Edward Brewer
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Patent number: 7871348Abstract: A torque-producing machine and planetary gear set biases torque between primary and secondary drivelines of a vehicle. A first element of the planetary gear set is connected to an upstream torque source. A second element of the planetary gear set is connected to the secondary driveline. A third element of the planetary gear set is connected to a torque-producing biasing machine.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2008Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: William Paul Perkins
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Publication number: 20100312447Abstract: A regenerative brake control system for a vehicle includes a vehicle controller, a driveline torque distribution device interfacing with the vehicle controller, an electric machine interfacing with the driveline torque distribution device, a plurality of wheels coupled to the electric machine and at least one traction condition input indicating traction of the plurality of wheels provided to the vehicle controller. The vehicle controller engages the driveline torque distribution device and the electric machine apportions regenerative brake torque to the wheels in proportion to the traction of the wheels. A regenerative brake control method for a vehicle is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2009Publication date: December 9, 2010Inventor: William Paul Perkins