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).

  • Methods and systems for a vehicle driveline control during varying driving conditions
    Patent number: 9358980
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, driveline operating modes may be adjusted in response to driving surface conditions. The approaches may improve vehicle drivability and reduce driveline degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Gregory Michael Pietron, Yuji Fujii, James William Loch McCallum, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • Method and system for operating a hybrid powertrain
    Patent number: 9352737
    Abstract: A method and a system for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, operation of a hybrid driveline is adjusted in response to driving conditions that may cause wheel slip or a stuck vehicle. The approach may reduce driveline wear and improve vehicle drivability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Seung-Hoon Lee, Adam Nathan Banker, James William Loch McCallum, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • Methods and systems for a driveline disconnect clutch
    Patent number: 9340203
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, compensation for a driveline disconnect clutch is provided. The approaches may reduce driveline torque disturbances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Felix Nedorezov, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Hong Jiang
  • Methods and systems for a vehicle driveline power take off
    Patent number: 9327728
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a power take off are presented. In one example, the power take off may be rotated in two different directions. The approaches may improve operation of a power take off device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Gregory Michael Pietron, Yuji Fujii, Jeffrey Allen Doering, James William Loch McCallum
  • Methods and systems for providing uniform driveline braking
    Patent number: 9327717
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, negative torque of an electric machine is adjusted to mimic negative torque of an engine during engine braking so that the vehicle may transition from regenerative braking to engine braking in a seamless manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Craig Reed, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, Gregory Michael Pietron
  • Methods and systems for engine starting during a shift
    Patent number: 9322380
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, torque demand of a driveline after a shift is forecast to determine if it is desirable to start the engine early so that engine torque is available after the shift. The approach may improve vehicle torque response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Dennis Craig Reed, Gregory Michael Pietron, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Adam Nathan Banker
  • Methods and systems for adjusting driveline operation during an accelerator tip-out
    Patent number: 9321452
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine may be operated at an idle speed while a driveline disconnect clutch separating the engine from a driveline is open in response to a reduction in driver demand torque. Engine torque may be applied to the driveline by simply closing the driveline disconnect clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    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 assisted direct start control
    Patent number: 9316198
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for pressurizing a transmission hydraulic circuit including a transmission mechanical pump coupled to an engine though a gearbox. One example method comprises, during an engine start, adjusting a speed ratio between the transmission pump and the engine between a first speed ratio and a second speed ratio, the pump rotating faster relative to the engine at the first speed ratio as compared with the second speed ratio. In this way, the pump may be driven at different speed ratios relative to the engine to provide better pressurization in the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Gregory Michael Pietron, Seung-Hoon Lee, Yuji Fujii
  • Methods and systems for transitioning between driveline braking modes
    Patent number: 9296387
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a method for transitioning between regenerative braking and engine braking is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Dennis Craig Reed, Adam Nathan Banker, David Oshinsky
  • Method and system for adapting operation of a hybrid vehicle transmission torque converter lockup clutch
    Patent number: 9278685
    Abstract: A method and a system for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, operation of a transmission torque converter lockup clutch is adjusted by way of adjusting a transfer function based on torque supplied by an electric machine to improve engine starting control. The approach may improve engine starting and vehicle drivability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    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 four wheel drive vehicle driveline
    Patent number: 9278692
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, driveline operation may be adjusted in response to operating the hybrid vehicle in a four wheel drivel low gear range. The approaches may improve vehicle drivability and reduce driveline degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Gregory Michael Pietron, James William Loch McCallum, Yuji Fujii
  • Methods and systems for operating a driveline disconnect clutch responsive to engine operating conditions
    Patent number: 9260107
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a driveline disconnect clutch transfer function may be adapted in response to engine operating conditions during closing of the driveline disconnect clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Dennis Craig Reed, Gregory Michael Pietron, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Method for improving engine starting
    Patent number: 9261040
    Abstract: A method and system for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one example, the method adjusts a port fuel injection amount in response to engine stopping position. The engine stopping position may be indicative of a fraction of injected fuel that enters a cylinder for a first combustion event since engine stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Brad Alan VanDerWege, Cindy Zhou, Jianwen James Yi, John Eric Rollinger
  • Assisted direct start and active suspension integration control
    Patent number: 9256576
    Abstract: A system for controlling an internal combustion engine. The system includes engine shutdown/restart means and energy storage means configured for supplying power to an associated active vehicle suspension system when the engine is shut down. A controller is configured for controlling the shutdown/restart means responsive to an energy state of the energy storage means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey A. Doering, Jianbo Lu, Eric H. Tseng
  • Methods and systems for launching a vehicle
    Patent number: 9248829
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine is started and idled before engine torque is required so that driveline torque response may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Craig Reed, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Manual transmission clutch control using measured torque
    Patent number: 9243706
    Abstract: A method for controlling a manual transmission includes using a controller to determine a desired torque transmitted through an input clutch and a desired clutch slip for the desired gear after a shift lever is moved to a desired gear position and while a clutch pedal is being released for engaging the clutch; measuring torque in the vehicle drive assembly; using measured torque to determine actual clutch torque transmitted through the clutch; and reducing torque error using the controller to adjust a clutch actuator such that a difference between the desired torque and the actual torque is reduced. Slip error may also be reduced by adjusting the clutch actuator to reduce the difference between the desired slip and measured slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Yuji Fujii, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Gregory M. Pietron, Nimrod Kapas, Joseph F. Kucharski
  • Method for controlling a transmission coupled to an engine that may be automatically stopped
    Patent number: 9238457
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a transmission coupled to an engine during an engine start are presented. In one example, a method adjusts a transmission tie-up force in response to an indication of transmission slip. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Steve Michael Cicala, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Felix Nedorezov, Eric Frank Banners, Hong Jiang, Donald G. Levens
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A DRIVELINE DISCONNECT CLUTCH
    Publication number: 20160009274
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, compensation for a driveline disconnect clutch is provided. The approaches may reduce driveline torque disturbances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Felix Nedorezov, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Hong Jiang
  • Method for restarting an engine
    Patent number: 9222453
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an engine that may be automatically stopped and started are presented. In one example, a method adjusts a position of an air inlet throttle according to engine position and in response to an operator change of mind to restart an engine that is being automatically stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, De-Shiou Chen, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS PROVIDING DRIVELINE BRAKING
    Publication number: 20150353069
    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: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Seung-Hoon Lee, Gregory Michael Pietron, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Dennis Craig Reed