Patents by Inventor Bill Tobler

Bill Tobler 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).

  • Patent number: 7380890
    Abstract: A system is provided for controlling automatic brake systems to avoid pulsing vehicle brakes at certain natural vibration frequencies of the vehicle's mechanical systems such as a powertrain and driveline. The natural vibration frequencies of the vehicle's systems are determined and correlated with a range of possible braking regimes implemented by an on-board automatic brake control, such as an anti-lock braking (ABS) system. A proposed, normally appropriate ABS braking response to a sudden braking condition is either modified, accelerated or delayed when the proposed response is deemed likely to excite a vehicle natural frequency. The system improves ABS operation in vehicles having high effective inertia powertrains, such as those used in hybrid electric vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Bill Tobler, Michael Tiller, Paul Bowles
  • Patent number: 7197383
    Abstract: A control system limits reactive torque in a powertrain that is generated when braking force is applied to traction wheels during a sudden stop or other sudden braking event. The reactive torque generated at the traction wheels is prevented from being transmitted upstream through the driveline and powertrain by using a slip type clutch in the driveline to limit the upstream transfer of the reactive wheel torque. The clutch is directly actuated by the reactive torque and therefore does not require special controls or monitoring systems to sense the braking event. The clutch pressure may be automatically adjusted in response to certain operating conditions or events, thereby adjusting the point at which the clutch begins to slip due to reactive wheel torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bill Tobler, Michael Tiller, Paul Bowles
  • Patent number: 7151987
    Abstract: A system is provided for controlling the inertia of a vehicle's powertrain during sudden braking events. Torque generated by rapid deceleration of the vehicle's drive wheels during braking is prevented from being transmitted through the vehicle's driveline by a clutch which disengages the drive wheels from high effective inertia components in the driveline. The clutch is actuated by a signal produced by any of several sensors on the vehicle which sense a sudden braking event. Driveline speed is adjusted to match drive wheel speed before the clutch is deactivated to reengage driveline with the drive wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bill Tobler, Michael Tiller, Paul Bowles
  • Publication number: 20050182532
    Abstract: A system is provided for controlling the inertia of a vehicle's powertrain during sudden braking events. Torque generated by rapid deceleration of the vehicle's drive wheels during braking is prevented from being transmitted through the vehicle's driveline by a clutch which disengages the drive wheels from high effective inertia components in the driveline. The clutch is actuated by a signal produced by any of several sensors on the vehicle which sense a sudden braking event. Driveline speed is adjusted to match drive wheel speed before the clutch is deactivated to reengage driveline with the drive wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Inventors: Bill Tobler, Michael Tiller, Paul Bowles
  • Publication number: 20050182533
    Abstract: A control system limits reactive torque in a powertrain that is generated when braking force is applied to traction wheels during a sudden stop or other sudden braking event. The reactive torque generated at the traction wheels is prevented from being transmitted upstream through the driveline and powertrain by using a slip type clutch in the driveline to limit the upstream transfer of the reactive wheel torque. The clutch is directly actuated by the reactive torque and therefore does not require special controls or monitoring systems to sense the braking event. The clutch pressure may be automatically adjusted in response to certain operating conditions or events, thereby adjusting the point at which the clutch begins to slip due to reactive wheel torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Inventors: Bill Tobler, Michael Tiller, Paul Bowles
  • Publication number: 20050179316
    Abstract: A system is provided for controlling automatic brake systems to avoid pulsing vehicle brakes at certain natural vibration frequencies of the vehicle's mechanical systems such as a powertrain and driveline. The natural vibration frequencies of the vehicle's systems are determined and correlated with a range of possible braking regimes implemented by an on-board automatic brake control, such as an anti-lock braking (ABS) system. A proposed, normally appropriate ABS braking response to a sudden braking condition is either modified, accelerated or delayed when the proposed response is deemed likely to excite a vehicle natural frequency. The system improves ABS operation in vehicles having high effective inertia powertrains, such as those used in hybrid electric vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Inventors: Bill Tobler, Michael Tiller, Paul Bowles