Patents by Inventor Alexander Phillip McDonnell
Alexander Phillip McDonnell 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).
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Patent number: 10358134Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission having a torque converter, an oncoming clutch, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to a torque of the oncoming clutch exceeding an estimated average by a threshold during an engagement, increase the torque of the oncoming clutch via a feedforward command and adjust the torque of the oncoming clutch via a feedback command to compensate for deviations in the torque generated by the feedforward command during the engagement.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2017Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Alexander Phillip McDonnell, Bradley Dean Riedle, Charles William Suter, Conor Edward Sullivan, Stephen Michael Cicala
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Patent number: 10344858Abstract: A park valve includes a slidable end-cap. Under normal circumstances, the end-cap is held in a nominal position by a spring, such as a Belleville spring. The park valve performs a multi-plexing function in which an out-of-park circuit is connected to line pressure when the valve is in an out-of-park position and is vented when the valve is in a park position. In an intermediate position, a hydraulic lock condition may potentially occur. When engaging park, the hydraulic lock condition is prevented by the slidable end-cap.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Scott Joseph Gittins, Matthew Scott Malnar, Allison Lynch, Lisa Waldock, Alexander Phillip McDonnell
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Patent number: 10295054Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission having a first neutral with a first combination of engaged clutches and a second neutral with a second combination of engaged clutches. The first neutral has more engaged clutches than the second. A controller is programmed to, in response to a request to shift from a drive gear to the first neutral and a clutch of the drive gear being failed-on, shift to the second neutral.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2017Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John Randall Armstead, Stephen Michael Cicala, Alexander Phillip McDonnell, Dongdong Dee Li, Conor Edward Sullivan
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Patent number: 10295053Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission having a first neutral with a first combination of engaged clutches and a second neutral with a second combination of engaged clutches. The second neutral has more engaged clutches than the first neutral. A vehicle controller is programmed to, in response to a request to shift from the first to the second neutral and a failed-on clutch being detected, inhibit the shift to remain in the first neutral.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2017Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stephen Michael Cicala, John Randall Armstead, Dongdong Dee Li, Alexander Phillip McDonnell, Bradley D. Riedle, Conor Edward Sullivan
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Publication number: 20190120376Abstract: A park valve includes a slidable end-cap. Under normal circumstances, the end-cap is held in a nominal position by a spring, such as a Belleville spring. The park valve performs a multi-plexing function in which an out-of-park circuit is connected to line pressure when the valve is in an out-of-park position and is vented when the valve is in a park position. In an intermediate position, a hydraulic lock condition may potentially occur. When engaging park, the hydraulic lock condition is prevented by the slidable end-cap.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2017Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Scott Joseph Gittins, Matthew Scott Malnar, Allison Lynch, Lisa Waldock, Alexander Phillip McDonnell
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Patent number: 10023190Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an engine and a transmission coupled to the engine. The transmission has a first neutral state in which a first combination of clutches are engaged and a second neutral state in which a second combination of clutches are engaged. A vehicle controller is programmed to, in response to the transmission being in the first neutral state and an engine-torque request exceeding a threshold value, shift the transmission to the second neutral state.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Alexander Phillip McDonnell, Stephen Michael Cicala, Charles William Suter, Bradley Dean Riedle, Leonidas Kiliaris, Markian Oleh Diakiw, Kurt Howard Nickerson
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Publication number: 20180119805Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission having a first neutral with a first combination of engaged clutches and a second neutral with a second combination of engaged clutches. The second neutral has more engaged clutches than the first neutral. A vehicle controller is programmed to, in response to a request to shift from the first to the second neutral and a failed-on clutch being detected, inhibit the shift to remain in the first neutral.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Stephen Michael CICALA, John Randall ARMSTEAD, Dongdong Dee LI, Alexander Phillip McDONNELL, Bradley D. RIEDLE, Conor Edward SULLIVAN
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Publication number: 20180118214Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an engine and a transmission coupled to the engine. The transmission has a first neutral state in which a first combination of clutches are engaged and a second neutral state in which a second combination of clutches are engaged. A vehicle controller is programmed to, in response to the transmission being in the first neutral state and an engine-torque request exceeding a threshold value, shift the transmission to the second neutral state.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2016Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Alexander Phillip McDONNELL, Stephen Michael CICALA, Charles William SUTER, Bradley Dean RIEDLE, Leonidas KILIARIS, Markian Oleh DIAKIW, Kurt Howard NICKERSON
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Publication number: 20180118212Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission having a torque converter, an oncoming clutch, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to a torque of the oncoming clutch exceeding an estimated average by a threshold during an engagement, increase the torque of the oncoming clutch via a feedforward command and adjust the torque of the oncoming clutch via a feedback command to compensate for deviations in the torque generated by the feedforward command during the engagement.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Alexander Phillip MCDONNELL, Bradley Dean RIEDLE, Charles William SUTER, Conor Edward SULLIVAN, Stephen Michael CICALA
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Publication number: 20180119806Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission having a first neutral with a first combination of engaged clutches and a second neutral with a second combination of engaged clutches. The first neutral has more engaged clutches than the second. A controller is programmed to, in response to a request to shift from a drive gear to the first neutral and a clutch of the drive gear being failed-on, shift to the second neutral.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: John Randall ARMSTEAD, Stephen Michael CICALA, Alexander Phillip McDONNELL, Dongdong Dee LI, Conor Edward SULLIVAN
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Patent number: 9835208Abstract: A transmission includes a first hydraulic clutch, a second hydraulic clutch, a third hydraulic clutch, a pump and a controller. The first, second, and third hydraulic clutches are configured to established a parked-ready condition upon engagement of all three clutches. The pump is configured to generate hydraulic fluid pressure. The controller is programmed to, in response to a command to start an engine that powers the pump, engage the first and second clutches. The controller is further programmed to, in response to engagement of the first and second clutches and obtaining operating hydraulic fluid pressure, engage the third clutch.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2016Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Alexander Phillip McDonnell, Stephen Michael Cicala, Charles William Suter, Conor Edward Sullivan, Oguz Hasan Dagci
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Publication number: 20170219028Abstract: A transmission includes a first hydraulic clutch, a second hydraulic clutch, a third hydraulic clutch, a pump and a controller. The first, second, and third hydraulic clutches are configured to established a parked-ready condition upon engagement of all three clutches. The pump is configured to generate hydraulic fluid pressure. The controller is programmed to, in response to a command to start an engine that powers the pump, engage the first and second clutches. The controller is further programmed to, in response to engagement of the first and second clutches and obtaining operating hydraulic fluid pressure, engage the third clutch.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2016Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Alexander Phillip MCDONNELL, Stephen Michael CICALA, Charles William SUTER, Conor Edward SULLIVAN, Oguz Hasan DAGCI
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Patent number: 9353853Abstract: A transmission includes a latch valve with latched and de-latched states. In the de-latched state, the latch valve directs a control pressure to a clutch apply circuit. In the latched state, which is entered in response to a control pressure higher than a latch pressure, the latch valve directs a line pressure to the clutch apply circuit. A controller manages the transition from latched to de-latched differently depending upon the transmission input torque and gear state. At high transmission input torque, the controller first reduces the control pressure to rapidly accelerate a spool in the latch valve, and then increases the control pressure to prevent clutch slip. At low torque, the controller reduced the pressure to an intermediate value during the transition and then reduces it again. At moderate torques, the controller reduces the pressure directly to a target pressure in a single step.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Alexander Phillip McDonnell, Kendrick Morrison, Cory LaRoche, Derek Kinch, John Armstead, Brian Michael O'Neil, Pramod Kumar Jain
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Publication number: 20160097448Abstract: A transmission includes a latch valve with latched and de-latched states. In the de-latched state, the latch valve directs a control pressure to a clutch apply circuit. In the latched state, which is entered in response to a control pressure higher than a latch pressure, the latch valve directs a line pressure to the clutch apply circuit. A controller manages the transition from latched to de-latched differently depending upon the transmission input torque and gear state. At high transmission input torque, the controller first reduces the control pressure to rapidly accelerate a spool in the latch valve, and then increases the control pressure to prevent clutch slip. At low torque, the controller reduced the pressure to an intermediate value during the transition and then reduces it again. At moderate torques, the controller reduces the pressure directly to a target pressure in a single step.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2014Publication date: April 7, 2016Inventors: Alexander Phillip McDonnell, Kendrick Morrison, Cory LaRoche, Derek Kinch, John Armstead, Brian Michael O'Neil, Pramod Kumar Jain