Patents by Inventor Bradley D. Riedle

Bradley D. Riedle 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: 11932112
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a clutch, and a controller. The clutch is disposed between the engine and the electric machine. The controller is programmed to, in response to an engine start, close the clutch to transfer power from the electric machine to the engine to start the engine. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the engine start, control a torque capacity of the clutch during the engine start according to a model of a pressure applied to the clutch. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the engine start, control the torque of the electric machine based on an adjusted torque capacity of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Corey James Blue, Samuel Melville Glauber, Timothy Baxendale, Bradley D Riedle
  • Patent number: 11932254
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission, and a controller. The engine is configured to generate power. The transmission is configured to transfer power from the engine to at least one drive wheel to propel the vehicle. The controller is programmed to, in response to a command to shift the transmission and a corresponding command to decrease a torque of the engine to less than a threshold corresponding to a spark retard limit during the shift, (i) increase the pressure of an oncoming clutch to engage the oncoming clutch, (ii) retard an engine spark at the spark retard limit to reduce the torque of the engine to the threshold during the engagement of the oncoming clutch, and (iii) shutdown at least one cylinder of the engine to further reduce the torque of the engine to less than the threshold during the engagement of the oncoming clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Cory Benson LaRoche, Stephen Michael Cicala, Jianping Zhang, Bradley Dean Riedle, Jesse D. L. Brunais, Michael Simon, Leonard Dziubinschi
  • Patent number: 11692622
    Abstract: A transmission includes a gearing arrangement configured to shift speed ratios by disengaging an off-going shift element and engaging an oncoming shift element and an electrohydraulic valve having an actuatable valve element configured to control an engagement state of the oncoming shift element. A controller is programmed to, during a shift of the transmission, in response to the off-going shift element disengaging and an expected ratio change not initiating, monotonically increase current to the valve to a maximum value to overcome frictional resistance on the valve element, and programmed to, in response to expiration of a timer and the ratio change still not initiating, send a repeating pattern of high and low current signals according to a duty cycle to overcome frictional resistance of the valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Kinch, Joseph Scott Slayton, Stephen Michael Cicala, Bradley D Riedle, Richard Reynolds Hathaway
  • Patent number: 11685258
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a torque transfer clutch of a vehicle. A first data source indicates if the clutch is in AWD or 4×4 mode. An integrator system monitors energy transferred across the clutch. A temperature data source measures or calculates the clutch temperature. In a first case, the integrator accumulates data of the energy across the clutch during a monitoring period that is compared to a maximum accumulated energy value and initiates a powertrain torque dependent transfer point learn routine. In a second case, the controller responds to energy accumulator cycle data in a single monitoring cycle that is compared to a maximum cycle data value. In a third case, the controller responds to clutch temperature data and compares the temperature data to a maximum temperature value. The second and third cases initiate a non-powertrain torque dependent transfer point learn routine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Harriman, II, Michael Frey, Filip Tomik, Bradley D. Riedle, Peter Chagnon
  • Patent number: 11679758
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline disconnect clutch of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, the systems and methods may adjust a relationship (e.g., transfer function) between an amount of electric current that is supplied to a driveline disconnect clutch control valve and a commanded driveline disconnect clutch pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Akshay Bichkar, Jason Meyer, Bradley D. Riedle, Corey James Blue, Joseph F. Kucharski, Bret Keller
  • Publication number: 20230182715
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline disconnect clutch of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, the systems and methods may adjust a relationship (e.g., transfer function) between an amount of electric current that is supplied to a driveline disconnect clutch control valve and a commanded driveline disconnect clutch pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Akshay Bichkar, Jason Meyer, Bradley D. Riedle, Corey James Blue, Joseph F. Kucharski, Bret Keller
  • Publication number: 20230182716
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, the systems and methods adjust a driveline disconnect clutch boost time duration or magnitude responsive to a pressure error and a time delay error. A driveline disconnect clutch may be operated via supplying a pressure to the driveline disconnect clutch that includes the adjusted boost time duration or magnitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Akshay Bichkar, Jason Meyer, Bradley D. Riedle, Corey James Blue, Joseph F. Kucharski
  • Publication number: 20230049036
    Abstract: A transmission includes a gearing arrangement configured to shift speed ratios by disengaging an off-going shift element and engaging an oncoming shift element and an electrohydraulic valve having an actuatable valve element configured to control an engagement state of the oncoming shift element. A controller is programmed to, during a shift of the transmission, in response to the off-going shift element disengaging and an expected ratio change not initiating, monotonically increase current to the valve to a maximum value to overcome frictional resistance on the valve element, and programmed to, in response to expiration of a timer and the ratio change still not initiating, send a repeating pattern of high and low current signals according to a duty cycle to overcome frictional resistance of the valve element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Derek Kinch, Joseph Scott Slayton, Stephen Michael Cicala, Bradley D. Riedle, Richard Reynolds Hathaway
  • Patent number: 11560129
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for operating a brake back-up system (8) of a motor vehicle (2), with the steps: (S100) Reading in operating data (BD) of the motor vehicle (2), (S200) Evaluating the read-in operating data (BD) to identify malfunctions of a braking system of the motor vehicle (2), and (S300) Providing at least one actuation signal (AS, AS?) to influence components of a drive train of the motor vehicle (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gabrielle Jost, Ahmed Benmimoun, Jeffrey Tumavitch, Bradley D. Riedle, Steve Cicala
  • Publication number: 20210261113
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle are described. In one example, a torque that is produced by an engine is adjusted responsive to a transmission oil temperature and a speed of a torque converter impeller so that temperature of oil in a transmission lube circuit may be maintained at a desired temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Corey Blue, Scott James Thompson, Stephen Michael Cicala, Mary Bellino, Bradley D. Riedle
  • Patent number: 11097719
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle are described. In one example, a torque that is produced by an engine is adjusted responsive to a transmission oil temperature and a speed of a torque converter impeller so that temperature of oil in a transmission lube circuit may be maintained at a desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Corey Blue, Scott James Thompson, Stephen Michael Cicala, Mary Bellino, Bradley D. Riedle
  • Patent number: 10995852
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission having a plurality of friction elements selectively engageable to establish power flow paths within the transmission. A controller of the vehicle is programmed to, during a boost phase of a shift, command a first hydraulic boost pressure for a plurality of control loop cycles to an oncoming one of the friction elements (oncoming friction element) and subsequently command a second hydraulic boost pressure less than the first hydraulic boost pressure for only a single control loop cycle that defines an end of the boost phase to the oncoming friction element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jaewon Choi, Stephen Michael Cicala, Bradley D Riedle, Eric Frank Banners, Cory Benson Laroche, Kurt Howard Nickerson
  • Publication number: 20200386279
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission having a plurality of friction elements selectively engageable to establish power flow paths within the transmission. A controller of the vehicle is programmed to, during a boost phase of a shift, command a first hydraulic boost pressure for a plurality of control loop cycles to an oncoming one of the friction elements (oncoming friction element) and subsequently command a second hydraulic boost pressure less than the first hydraulic boost pressure for only a single control loop cycle that defines an end of the boost phase to the oncoming friction element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Jaewon CHOI, Stephen Michael CICALA, Bradley D RIEDLE, Eric Frank BANNERS, Cory Benson LAROCHE, Kurt Howard NICKERSON
  • Publication number: 20200216057
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle are described. In one example, a torque that is produced by an engine is adjusted responsive to a transmission oil temperature and a speed of a torque converter impeller so that temperature of oil in a transmission lube circuit may be maintained at a desired temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Corey Blue, Scott James Thompson, Stephen Michael Cicala, Mary Bellino, Bradley D. Riedle
  • Patent number: 10704677
    Abstract: A transmission includes an accumulator to hold one of more shift elements in an engaged state while an engine is off. The transmission also includes a hydraulic park system that disengages park in response to engagement of two shift elements. In some circumstance, draining the accumulator in an uncontrolled manner in the presence of a failed valve may lead to unintentionally disengaging park. To avoid this, the accumulator is discharged in a controlled manner. Fluid is first transferred from the accumulator to a shift element apply chamber. Then, the fluid is vented from the shift element apply chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Joseph Gittins, Lisa Waldock, Stephen Michael Cicala, Joseph Scott Slayton, Derek Kinch, Timothy Fedullo, Bradley D. Riedle
  • Publication number: 20200122707
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for operating a brake back-up system (8) of a motor vehicle (2), with the steps: (S100) Reading in operating data (BD) of the motor vehicle (2), (S200) Evaluating the read-in operating data (BD) to identify malfunctions of a braking system of the motor vehicle (2), and (S300) Providing at least one actuation signal (AS, AS?) to influence components of a drive train of the motor vehicle (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gabrielle Jost, Ahmed Benmimoun, Jeffrey Tumavitch, Bradley D. Riedle, Steve Cicala
  • Publication number: 20190376597
    Abstract: A transmission includes an accumulator to hold one of more shift elements in an engaged state while an engine is off. The transmission also includes a hydraulic park system that disengages park in response to engagement of two shift elements. In some circumstance, draining the accumulator in an uncontrolled manner in the presence of a failed valve may lead to unintentionally disengaging park. To avoid this, the accumulator is discharged in a controlled manner. Fluid is first transferred from the accumulator to a shift element apply chamber. Then, the fluid is vented from the shift element apply chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Scott Joseph Gittins, Lisa Waldock, Stephen Michael Cicala, Joseph Scott Slayton, Derek Kinch, Timothy Fedullo, Bradley D. Riedle
  • Patent number: 10308252
    Abstract: To reduce fuel consumption, a transmission is shifted into a neutral state, called neutral idle, when a vehicle stops in a drive mode. During a transition from a neutral idle state to an engaged state, the engine torque is controlled to avoid excessive shift energy and to mitigate acceleration drop. Specifically, the engine torque is set to a level equal to a sum of a transmission torque capacity and an offset, which is a function of accelerator pedal position. The transmission torque capacity is calculated based on the engaging shift element torque capacity and torque ratios associated with the kinematics and the torque converter. To accommodate noise factors such as variation over time, the offset function is adapted in response to measured clutch energy and acceleration drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yang Xu, Zhengyu Dai, Guopeng Hu, Hong Jiang, Bradley D. Riedle
  • Patent number: 10295053
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Cicala, John Randall Armstead, Dongdong Dee Li, Alexander Phillip McDonnell, Bradley D. Riedle, Conor Edward Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20190077403
    Abstract: To reduce fuel consumption, a transmission is shifted into a neutral state, called neutral idle, when a vehicle stops in a drive mode. During a transition from a neutral idle state to an engaged state, the engine torque is controlled to avoid excessive shift energy and to mitigate acceleration drop. Specifically, the engine torque is set to a level equal to a sum of a transmission torque capacity and an offset, which is a function of accelerator pedal position. The transmission torque capacity is calculated based on the engaging shift element torque capacity and torque ratios associated with the kinematics and the torque converter. To accommodate noise factors such as variation over time, the offset function is adapted in response to measured clutch energy and acceleration drop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Yang Xu, Zhengyu Dai, Guopeng Hu, Hong Jiang, Bradley D. Riedle