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 engine control
    Patent number: 8986163
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for restarting an engine that can be selectively deactivated during idle-stop conditions. In one embodiment, the engine is restarted with torque reduction over an interval of the restart, for example, by upshifting the transmission. In response to a vehicle launch request, the torque reduction is decreased, for example, by downshifting the transmission, to expedite return of driveline torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Alex O'Connor Gibson
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A VEHICLE DRIVELINE CONTROL DURING VARYING DRIVING CONDITIONS
    Publication number: 20150081154
    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: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Gregory Michael Pietron, Yuji Fujii, James William Loch McCallum, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE DRIVELINE
    Publication number: 20150072832
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine is accelerated to a speed of a driveline integrated starter/generator before the engine is coupled to the driveline integrated starter/generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Dennis Craig Reed, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING UNIFORM DRIVELINE BRAKING
    Publication number: 20150073644
    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: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Dennis Craig Reed, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, Gregory Michael Pietron
  • Methods and systems for holding a vehicle stopped on a hill
    Patent number: 8977449
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a holding force of a vehicle parked on a hill is adjusted depending on a grade of the hill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, David Oshinsky, James William Loch McCallum, Adam Nathan Banker, Felix Nedorezov
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OPERATING A TRANSMISSION
    Publication number: 20150066316
    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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: 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 A VEHICLE DRIVELINE
    Publication number: 20150065298
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, driveline disconnect clutch operation is adjusted in response to vehicle mass so that the vehicle may operate similarly at lower and higher vehicle masses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Gregory Michael Pietron, James William Loch McCallum, Yuji Fujii
  • Methods and systems for reducing gear lash noise
    Patent number: 8965616
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, driveline gear lash gear tooth to gear tooth impact may be reduced via adjusting operation of an electric machine. For example, gear tooth to gear tooth impact may be reduced by operating the electric machine in a speed control mode to manage torque during driveline torque transition from a negative torque to a positive torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Dennis Craig Reed, Gregory Michael Pietron, James William Loch McCallum
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLE DRIVELINE TORQUE ESTIMATION
    Publication number: 20150051045
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving hybrid vehicle torque control are presented. The system and methods included may estimate driveline torque via springs of a dual mass flywheel. The estimated driveline torque may provide feedback for adjusting operation of a driveline disconnect clutch and/or engine torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O`Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Seung-Hoon Lee, Yuji Fujii, James William Loch McCallum, William Russell Goodwin
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING CATALYST TEMPERATURE
    Publication number: 20150045185
    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: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O`Connor Gibson, Dennis Craig Reed, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVING ENGINE STARTING
    Publication number: 20150040864
    Abstract: Systems and methods for restarting an engine are presented. In one example, spark timing during engine starting is adjusted in response to engine speed and a second control parameter. The second control parameter may be correlated with crankshaft or rod degradation. Spark may be advanced from minimum spark for best torque when engine speed is greater than desired and when the second control parameter does not provide an indication of engine degradation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O`Connor Gibson, David Bruce Reiche, Steven Wooldridge
  • METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A TRANSMISSION COUPLED TO AN ENGINE THAT MAY BE AUTOMATICALLY STOPPED
    Publication number: 20150038294
    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: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    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 IMPROVING ENGINE STARTING
    Publication number: 20150025780
    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: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O`Connor Gibson, Brad Alan VanDerWege, David Oshinsky
  • Methods and systems for transitioning between driveline braking modes
    Patent number: 8938327
    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: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Dennis Craig Reed, Adam Nathan Banker, David Oshinsky
  • Stored compressed air management for improved engine performance
    Patent number: 8931273
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for raising an exhaust temperature to spin a turbocharger turbine and reduce turbo-lag. Pressurized air is discharged from a boost reservoir into an intake manifold while spark retard is increased to expedite exhaust heating while also increasing a net combustion torque. By expediting turbine spin-up in response to a tip-in, turbo-lag is reduced and engine performance is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Julia Helen Buckland, Robert Andrew Wade
  • Methods and systems for transitioning between braking modes
    Patent number: 8932179
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a method for transitioning between driveline braking and wheel brakes is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    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 VEHICLE DRIVELINE POWER TAKE OFF
    Publication number: 20150006011
    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: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Gregory Michael Pietron, Yuji Fujii, Jeffrey Allen Doering, James William Loch McCallum
  • Methods and systems for launching a vehicle
    Patent number: 8924061
    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: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    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 a hybrid vehicle
    Patent number: 8924070
    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: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Dennis Craig Reed, Adam Nathan Banker
  • Methods and systems for driveline mode transitions
    Patent number: 8924062
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a method for transitioning between regenerative braking and providing positive torque to a driveline is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Craig Reed, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, Seung-Hoon Lee