Patents by Inventor Alex O'Connor Gibson

Alex O'Connor Gibson 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 reducing driveline NVH
    Patent number: 9925972
    Abstract: A method and a system for reducing driveline speed oscillations related to a driveline resonance frequency are described. Driveline speed oscillations may be reduced via slipping a driveline clutch or adjusting torque of a driveline motor/generator. The method and system may be activated during select vehicle operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Yuji Fujii, Felix Nedorezov, Marvin Paul Kraska
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSISTED DIRECT START CONTROL
    Publication number: 20170341637
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively shut-down during engine idle-stop conditions, the vehicle system further including a hydraulically actuated transmission component. One example method comprises, during an idle-stop engine shut-down, adjusting a hydraulic actuation of the transmission component to adjust drag torque on the engine to stop the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Alex O`Connor Gibson, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Peter John Grutter, Felix Nedorezov, Rodney Lewis Lopez
  • Methods and systems for improving transmission shifting
    Patent number: 9827975
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine is couple to a transmission in response to a transmission upshift to reduce transmission output shaft torque disturbances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Dennis Craig Reed, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Methods and systems for engine stopping
    Patent number: 9789868
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine is stopped to a desired position via slipping a driveline disconnect clutch so that engine starting may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, David Oshinsky, Dennis Craig Reed
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A DRIVELINE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL
    Publication number: 20170291599
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, compensation is provided for a dual mass flywheel positioned in a vehicle driveline. The approaches may reduce driveline torque disturbances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, James William Loch McCallum, Alex O`Connor Gibson, Seung-Hoon Lee, David Oshinsky
  • Methods and systems for assisted direct start control
    Patent number: 9764726
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively shut-down during engine idle-stop conditions, the vehicle system further including a hydraulically actuated transmission component. One example method comprises, during an idle-stop engine shut-down, adjusting a hydraulic actuation of the transmission component to adjust drag torque on the engine to stop the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Peter John Grutter, Felix Nedorezov, Rodney Lewis Lopez
  • Methods and systems for engine cranking
    Patent number: 9758160
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine may be started in one of two ways depending on operating conditions. In particular, the engine may be started via a lower power output electric machine or a higher power output electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Seung-Hoon Lee, Jeffrey Allen Doering, David Oshinsky, Dennis Craig Reed
  • Methods and systems providing driveline braking
    Patent number: 9738267
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, driveline braking may transition from regenerative braking to engine braking to reduce the possibility of battery degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Seung-Hoon Lee, Gregory Michael Pietron, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Dennis Craig Reed
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING CATALYST TEMPERATURE
    Publication number: 20170232955
    Abstract: A method and a system for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine exhaust after treatment device is cooled at an opportunistic time. The approach may provide improved cooling for exhaust after treatment devices and it may also improve vehicle emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Alex O`Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Dennis Craig Reed
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ADJUSTING CYLINDER AIR CHARGE
    Publication number: 20170225674
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of an engine are presented. In one example, a position of a throttle is adjusted along with other actuators to improve engine starting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O`Connor Gibson, Dennis Craig Reed, Adam Nathan Banker, David Oshinsky
  • Method and system for improving engine starting
    Patent number: 9695773
    Abstract: A method and a system for improving operation of an automatically started engine are described. In one example, slip of a disconnect clutch is adjusted to limit an amount of engine torque transferred to vehicle wheels. The method and system adjust disconnect clutch slip in response to transmission input shaft speed and/or engine combustion events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Hong Jiang, Jeffrey Allen Doering, John Eric Rollinger, Felix Nedorezov
  • Methods and systems for extending regenerative braking
    Patent number: 9682694
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an electrical load may be automatically activated to consume electrical energy produced during driveline braking so that driveline braking may be extended. The electrical load may be a windscreen heater or other device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Nathan Banker, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, James William Loch McCallum, David Oshinsky
  • Methods and systems for a driveline dual mass flywheel
    Patent number: 9656665
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, compensation is provided for a dual mass flywheel positioned in a vehicle driveline. The approaches may reduce driveline torque disturbances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, James William Loch McCallum, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Seung-Hoon Lee, David Oshinsky
  • Methods and systems for adjusting cylinder air charge
    Patent number: 9650036
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of an engine are presented. In one example, a position of a throttle is adjusted along with other actuators to improve engine starting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Dennis Craig Reed, Adam Nathan Banker, David Oshinsky
  • Method for supplying power to an electrically assisted steering system
    Patent number: 9650031
    Abstract: A method for supplying power to an electrically assisted steering system is described. In one example, the method adjusts alternator field current to increase energy supplied to the electrically assisted steering system in response to an automatic engine stop request. The method may improve operation of the electrically assisted steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Allan Roy Gale, John Anthony DeMarco, Robert Michael Grant
  • Method and system for controlling catalyst temperature
    Patent number: 9643588
    Abstract: A method and a system for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine exhaust after treatment device is cooled at an opportunistic time. The approach may provide improved cooling for exhaust after treatment devices and it may also improve vehicle emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Dennis Craig Reed
  • Method and system for improving vehicle launch
    Patent number: 9637105
    Abstract: A method and a system for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a clutch is operated while a vehicle is stopped and while a vehicle brake is applied to determine a clutch torque transfer function. The approach may improve vehicle launch after an engine stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, David Oshinsky, Dennis Craig Reed, Adam Nathan Banker
  • Methods and systems for improving engine starting
    Patent number: 9631575
    Abstract: Systems and methods for restarting an engine are presented. In one example, fuel is injected to cylinder ports before the engine is stopped such that the injected fuel is not inducted into the cylinders before an engine restart is requested. The method may improve fuel vaporization during engine restarting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Brad Alan VanDerWege, David Oshinsky
  • Methods and systems for conditionally entering a driveline sailing mode
    Patent number: 9610935
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a driveline may selectively enter a sailing mode to provide quick driveline torque response with reduced impact on fuel economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Craig Reed, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Methods and systems for operating a driveline clutch
    Patent number: 9566977
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, operation of a driveline disconnect clutch is adjusted to compensate for clutch wear and manufacturing tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, James William Loch McCallum, Seung-Hoon Lee, Gregory Michael Pietron, Yuji Fujii