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 OPERATING A DRIVELINE CLUTCH
    Publication number: 20150344026
    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: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, James William Loch McCallum, Seung-Hoon Lee, Gregory Michael Pietron, Yuji Fujii
  • Methods and systems for assisted direct start control
    Patent number: 9187076
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing audible clunks and objectionable drive feel in vehicles including start/stop systems. In one example, a vehicle engine is shutdown during vehicle coasting. The vehicle engine is then restarted, while the vehicle is moving with a torque converter clutch disengaged. A transmission clutch pressure is then adjusted during the restart based on a torque converter output speed relative to a torque converter input speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Davor David Hrovat, Alex O'Connor Gibson
  • Method and system for engine control
    Patent number: 9180861
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for restarting an engine in response to a driver's change-of-mind. In one embodiment, the engine is shutdown during an idle stop with the transmission in a higher gear or with the transmission tied-up to a transmission case. In response to a driver change-of-mind restart request, the transmission is downshifted, or released from the tie-up, to return driveline torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Felix Nedorezov, Chad Everette Griffin
  • Methods and systems for assisted direct start control
    Patent number: 9175658
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle engine coupled to a stepped-gear-ratio transmission. One example method comprises, in response to a first vehicle moving condition, shutting down the engine and at least partially disengaging the transmission while the vehicle is moving; and during a subsequent restart, while the vehicle is moving, starting the engine using starter motor assistance and adjusting a degree of engagement of a transmission clutch to adjust a torque transmitted to a wheel of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Gopichandra Surnilla, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Peter John Grutter, Yuji Fujii, Gregory Michael Pietron, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Methods and systems providing driveline braking
    Patent number: 9174633
    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: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Seung-Hoon Lee, Gregory Michael Pietron, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Dennis Craig Reed
  • Methods and systems for a driveline disconnect clutch
    Patent number: 9156469
    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: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Felix Nedorezov, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Hong Jiang
  • Method and system for opportunistically automatically stopping an engine of a vehicle
    Patent number: 9151263
    Abstract: Methods and systems for stopping and starting an engine automatically are presented. In one example, a method inhibits automatic engine stopping in response to output of an on-board camera. The method prevents engine stopping during conditions where little fuel may be saved via automatically stopping the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Davor Hrovat, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O'Connor Gibson
  • Methods and systems for controlling catalyst temperature
    Patent number: 9145123
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, operation of a driveline disconnect clutch is based on temperature conditions of a catalyst. The driveline disconnect clutch may not be opened if catalyst temperature is greater than a threshold temperature so that the catalyst may be cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Dennis Craig Reed, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENGINE CRANKING
    Publication number: 20150266469
    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: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Alex O`Connor Gibson, Seung-Hoon Lee, Jeffrey Allen Doering, David Oshinsky, Dennis Craig Reed
  • Methods and systems for driveline sailing mode entry
    Patent number: 9139197
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, entry conditions for entering a driveline sailing mode are described. Driveline sailing mode may improve driveline torque response and vehicle drivability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    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 CONDITIONALLY ENTERING A DRIVELINE SAILING MODE
    Publication number: 20150251651
    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: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Dennis Craig Reed, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR EXTENDING REGENERATIVE BRAKING
    Publication number: 20150251653
    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: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Adam Nathan Banker, Alex O`Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, James William Loch McCallum, David Oshinsky
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ADJUSTING DRIVELINE DISCONNECT CLUTCH OPERATION
    Publication number: 20150251652
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, torque transferred via a driveline disconnect clutch is estimated based on characteristics of a torque converter to improve driveline operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O`Connor Gibson, Dennis Craig Reed, Gregory Michael Pietron, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING HYBRID VEHICLE SHIFTING
    Publication number: 20150239462
    Abstract: A method and a system for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, torque converter impeller torque from beginning to end of transmission shifting is adjusted in response to variable driveline inertia. The approach may improve transmission shifting and reduce driveline torque disturbances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Dennis Craig Reed, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Gregory Michael Pietron, James William Loch McCallum
  • Methods and systems for operating a transmission
    Patent number: 9115803
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating and interfacing to a transmission of a vehicle are presented. In one example, a human machine interface allows a driver to assign gear ratios or simulated gear ratios to gear position slots of a shifter. The assignment of gear ratios to gear position slots of a shifter may allow a driver to experience the feeling of driving a manually shifted transmission without having to operate a clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yuji Fujii, Marvin Paul Kraska, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Joseph F. Kucharski, Gregory Michael Pietron, Eric Hongtei Tseng
  • Methods and systems for operating a driveline clutch
    Patent number: 9108632
    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: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, James William Loch McCallum, Seung-Hoon Lee, Gregory Michael Pietron, Yuji Fujii
  • Method for controlling a vehicle
    Patent number: 9108627
    Abstract: A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one example, the method adjusts application of vehicle brakes to reduce the possibility of impact between gear teeth after engine starting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Michael M. S. Simon, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • Method and system for stopping an engine
    Patent number: 9108613
    Abstract: A method and a system for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a disconnect clutch is operated in response to an engine stop request to adjust an engine stopping position during an engine shutdown. The approach may reduce engine starting time after the engine stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, David Oshinsky, Seung-Hoon Lee, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Dennis Craig Reed
  • Methods and systems for adapting a driveline disconnect clutch transfer function
    Patent number: 9108614
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a transfer function of a driveline disconnect clutch is adapted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Yuji Fujii, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Dennis Craig Reed, Gregory Michael Pietron
  • Methods and systems for a hybrid vehicle
    Patent number: 9108638
    Abstract: Systems and methods for learning torque estimate errors and updating torque estimation models are presented. In one example, torque errors are learned during an engine shut-down, after a disconnect clutch coupled between an engine and an electric machine has been released. An updated torque estimation model is then used to control torque during subsequent engine operation to improve drive feel and vehicle performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Nathan Banker, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Dennis Craig Reed, Mark Steven Yamazaki