Patents Examined by Tisha D Lewis
  • Patent number: 11724699
    Abstract: A method of controlling a powertrain of a vehicle is carried out such that during shifting in which a first clutch is released and a second clutch is engaged, whether a current shift phase is a torque phase or an inertia phase is determined. Different cost functions for the torque phase and the inertia phase are predefined. A control input change for minimizing the cost functions in the torque phase and the inertia phase is calculated. At least two among input torque, first clutch torque, or second clutch torque input to a transmission are controlled by applying the control input change calculated for the torque phase and the inertia phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Jin Sung Kim
  • Patent number: 11718302
    Abstract: A drive train control method includes transmitting a total time period of a stroke phase and a torque phase of an upshift from a transmission control unit of an automatic transmission to an engine control unit of an engine. The method also includes closing a first shift element of the automatic transmission and opening a second shift element of the automatic transmission during the upshift. A control pressure of the first shift element increases during the torque phase relative to the control pressure of the first shift element at an end of the stroke phase. A control pressure of the second shift element decreases during the torque phase relative to the control pressure of the second shift element at the end of the stroke phase. The method further includes, based at least in part on the total time period of the stroke and torque phases, increasing an actual torque of the engine during the upshift such that the actual torque of the engine increases to a higher gear torque prior to an end of the torque phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Frieder Mohr, Christian Villing, Thomas Stark, Yoshitaka Shitani, Matthew J. Tucker, Yasuhiro Gokan, Christopher Hopp, Ryuichi Mori, Makoto Kobayashi, Ryuji Murata
  • Patent number: 11713043
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a first axle having a first electric machine, a second axle having a second electric machine and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in a user-selected four-wheel drive mode, command a first torque to the first electric machine based on a driver-demanded torque and a speed of the second axle, and command a second torque to the second electric machine based on a comparison of the driver-demanded torque and the first torque and further based on a speed of the first axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Sullivan, Jose Velazquez Alcantar, Michael Glenn Fodor, Joseph Jay Torres
  • Patent number: 11701959
    Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle includes a first planetary device, a second planetary device directly coupled to the first planetary device, a first electromagnetic device at least selectively coupled to the first planetary device and including a first shaft, a second electromagnetic device directly coupled to the second planetary device and including a second shaft, and an output shaft coupled to the first planetary device. The first shaft and the second shaft are radially aligned with the first planetary device and the second planetary device. The output shaft is radially aligned with the first planetary device and the second planetary device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Steinberger, Jon J. Morrow, Andrew J. Kotloski, Eric E. Braun
  • Patent number: 11697339
    Abstract: A vehicle drive apparatus includes an internal combustion engine, an electric-power-generating-motor gear train, a drive gear, a driven gear, a differential, a low clutch and a high clutch. The electric-power-generating-motor gear train and the driven gear are arranged on a first plane. The drive gear, the driven gear, and the differential are arranged on a second plane. The low clutch and the high clutch are arranged on a third plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Miura, Masato Koga, Atsushi Tsukizaki
  • Patent number: 11697350
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system and method includes a prime mover driving a generator/motor to produce an AC power output. The AC power output is applied to a rectifier which is controlled to transform the applied AC power to DC power to supply a DC Power bus at a selected voltage and current. An energy storage device is also connected to the DC power bus and the current flow between the energy storage device and the DC power bus is monitored and compared to preselected values and the results of that comparison are used to alter the operation of the rectifier to increase or decrease, as needed, the current provided to the DC power bus as electrical loads on the DC power bus change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: PEGASUS AERONAUTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew McRoberts, Joseph Kinsella, John Biskey, Carl Engelmann
  • Patent number: 11691617
    Abstract: A transmission assembly for a work vehicle having an engine includes a variator operably connected to the engine, a gear arrangement configured to provide a selective gear reduction for transmission of output power from the variator to an output shaft, and an electrical machine unit. The electrical machine unit further includes a main shaft operably connected to the variator, a first rotor configured to rotatably drive a first shaft, a second rotor configured to rotatably drive a second shaft, and a clutch configured to selectively couple the first shaft or the second shaft, or both the first shaft and the second shaft, to the main shaft. The clutch, the first rotor, and the second rotor are operable to control a speed and rotational direction of the main shaft in providing rotational power to the variator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: David S. Black, Stacy K. Worley, Clayton G. Janasek
  • Patent number: 11691504
    Abstract: A prime mover system includes a first prime mover, a first drive shaft, a differential, a power take-off (PTO) drive shaft, a second drive shaft, a transmission, a first accessory, and an output shaft. The first drive shaft is operatively coupled to the first prime mover. The differential is coupled to the first drive shaft. The PTO drive shaft is coupled to the differential. The second drive shaft is coupled to the differential. The transmission is coupled to the second drive shaft. The first accessory is operatively coupled to the PTO drive shaft. The output shaft is coupled to the transmission. The transmission is configured to transfer rotation of the second drive shaft to the output shaft. Rotation of the PTO drive shaft is independent of rotation of the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Langenderfer
  • Patent number: 11679770
    Abstract: A control system configured to accurately determine a condition of a road surface on which a vehicle travels. A learned model estimates the road surface condition based on the travelling data collected during propulsion of the vehicle, and a controller determines the road surface condition based on the road surface condition estimated by the learned model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Taku Segawa
  • Patent number: 11679758
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline disconnect clutch of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, the systems and methods may adjust a relationship (e.g., transfer function) between an amount of electric current that is supplied to a driveline disconnect clutch control valve and a commanded driveline disconnect clutch pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Akshay Bichkar, Jason Meyer, Bradley D. Riedle, Corey James Blue, Joseph F. Kucharski, Bret Keller
  • Patent number: 11673619
    Abstract: An automatic steering system and method for an articulated work vehicle having a front wheel steering system supported by front wheels at a front frame and a rear frame supported by rear wheels rotatably coupled to the front frame at an articulator. A controller operatively connected to the front wheel steering system and to the articulator adjusts wheels of the front wheel steering system along a path and moves the articulator to direct the rear frame in response to a steering signal. The steering signal directs the vehicle in a minimum turn radius mode or a controlled traffic control mode. In the minimum turn radius mode, the rear wheels do not follow the tracks of the front wheels when making a turn. In the controlled traffic mode the rear wheels follow in same tracks as the front wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Scott A. Hudson
  • Patent number: 11674575
    Abstract: An electric drive axle including an electric motor, a gear arrangement, a differential, and a disconnect device at least partially disposed within a differential case. The gear arrangement is configured to produce a certain gear ratio between the electric motor and the differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventor: Eric M. Engerman
  • Patent number: 11673554
    Abstract: A method of substantially preventing road speed excursions while traversing a road grade includes: determining, by a controller, a predicted over speed for a vehicle during an upcoming downhill grade based on a difference between a predicted engine braking power of the vehicle and an amount of braking power that substantially prevents a speed of the vehicle from exceeding a speed threshold; and responsive to the determination, controlling, by the controller, one or more components of the vehicle to substantially prevent the vehicle from exceeding the speed threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Reed Dempsey, Joseph R. Dynes, Nathanael G. Long
  • Patent number: 11662017
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for operating a machine using energy stored in a compress gas are disclosed. Energy stored in the compressed gas may be used to pressurize a fluid, such as transmission fluid, and the pressurized fluid may be used to effectuate an operation of the machine, such as a transmission, and the operation of the machine may involve shifting of a transmission. The gas may be compressed with another fluid that is different from the fluid used to operate the machine, and the two fluid may be prevented from being mixed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Cliff, Benjamin K. Dollins
  • Patent number: 11654888
    Abstract: A control device of a vehicle that controls the vehicle capable of traveling according to a plurality of traveling modes including a first traveling mode and a second traveling mode. The control device includes a traveling mode control unit configured to cause the vehicle to travel according to any one of the plurality of traveling modes. The traveling mode control unit, when the traveling mode of the vehicle is set to the first traveling mode, shifts the traveling mode of the vehicle to the second traveling mode based on a detection result of a detection unit which detects an output of a power storage device and a transition threshold value. The traveling mode control unit includes a threshold value setting unit which changes a value of the transition threshold value in accordance with a maximum output of the power storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yui Nishio, Kentaro Shiraki, Mamiko Inoue, Masatoshi Saito
  • Patent number: 11654779
    Abstract: A virtual manual transmission system for an electric vehicle for simulating the behavior of a vehicle having a manual transmission by controlling a motor while protecting an electric storage device. A controller is configured to: change torque of the motor when a virtual manual shifting is executed by operating a clutch device, an accelerator device, and a shifting device; and reduce a regulation on a change rate of the torque of the motor or an input/output power to/from the electric storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoichiro Isami, Hiroyuki Amano, Takayuki Oshima, Makoto Takano, Yuta Tsukada, Kiyosuke Hayamizu, Hiroaki Kodera
  • Patent number: 11649009
    Abstract: A transmission for a bicycle includes at least four shift elements, one input shaft (1), a first planetary gear set (PS1) which is operatively connected to the input shaft (1), and a second planetary gear set (PS2). A carrier of the first planetary gear set is rotationally fixed to a carrier of the second planetary gear set (PS2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Valerie Engel, Uwe Griesmeier, Matthias Wesa, Michael Wechs, Jens Moraw, Gerhard Niederbrucker
  • Patent number: 11634113
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling driving of an electronic 4-wheel drive hybrid vehicle appropriately executes torque distribution and compensation to front wheels and rear wheels in each gear position to satisfy driver's requested torque depending on selected driving mode of the electronic 4-wheel drive hybrid vehicle in which an engine and a front wheel motor are connected to the front wheels and a rear wheel motor is connected to the rear wheels, thereby being capable of increasing acceleration performance when a sports mode is selected as the driving mode and realizing acceleration linearity when a comfort mode is selected as the driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Dong Jun Shin
  • Patent number: 11628817
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a drive wheel, an engine, an accelerator pedal, a torque converter, a clutch, and a controller. The drive wheel is configured to propel the vehicle. The engine is configured to generate power and to deliver power to the drive wheel to accelerate the vehicle. The accelerator pedal is configured to generate an acceleration request based on a pedal position. The torque converter is disposed between the engine and the drive wheel. The clutch is disposed between the engine and the drive wheel and is configured to bypass the torque converter. The controller is programmed to, in response to depressing the accelerator pedal to a position that corresponds with accelerating the vehicle at a desired magnitude, adjust the torque of the engine to accelerate the vehicle at the desired magnitude, regardless of the state of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Judhajit Roy, Maruthi Thiruninravur Ravichandran, Jason Meyer, Rajit Johri, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Yanan Zhao
  • Patent number: 11618450
    Abstract: Methods and systems are for securing a vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle includes a body, a drive system, a braking system, and a processor. The drive system is configured to generate movement of the body, and includes a motor. The braking system includes friction brakes that provide friction braking. The processor is disposed onboard the vehicle, coupled to the motor, and is configured to at least facilitate: determining that a loss in friction braking has occurred while the vehicle is being stopped; and providing instructions to the motor for providing propulsion torque, thereby securing the vehicle at a stop, when it is determined that the loss in friction braking has occurred; wherein the motor is further configured to execute the instructions provided by the processor for providing the propulsion torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jacob Knueven, Jason C Jousma, Helen M Rieland, Alexandre O. Korobkine