Patents by Inventor Christopher Balton
Christopher Balton 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: 11149663Abstract: Techniques are disclosed herein that provide for controlling torque in a vehicle. In some embodiments, desired torque values are generated and are compared to an amount of torque currently being generated by an engine. If a different amount of torque is desired, an engine speed target is altered in a linear fashion, and then converted back to a torque request to be provided to an engine ECU for implementation. Techniques disclosed herein may cause changes in torque demand to be limited in such a way to cause predictable and smooth changes in engine speed, even when engine speed and torque do not have a linear relationship to each other.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2020Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: PACCAR Inc.Inventors: Riley Sparman Kilfoyle, Christopher Balton, Charles Wayne Reinhardt Swart
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Patent number: 10690240Abstract: A computer system (e.g., an on-board vehicle computer system) creates or updates a mapping of transmission gears and respective driveline ratios during operation of the vehicle. The system obtains a current engine speed and vehicle speed and calculates a current driveline ratio for the vehicle based on the current engine speed and vehicle speed. If the driveline is engaged, the system updates the mapping based at least in part on the current driveline ratio. Performing the update may include adding a new transmission gear or updating an existing transmission gear in the mapping, or removing a duplicate transmission gear from the mapping. Applications include cruise control, predictive cruise control, predictive shifting, and selecting a gear for a specific purpose (e.g., for descending a hill).Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: PACCAR INCInventors: Jordan Mosher, Christopher Balton, Christopher Douglas
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Publication number: 20200165988Abstract: Techniques are disclosed herein that provide for controlling torque in a vehicle. In some embodiments, desired torque values are generated and are compared to an amount of torque currently being generated by an engine. If a different amount of torque is desired, an engine speed target is altered in a linear fashion, and then converted back to a torque request to be provided to an engine ECU for implementation. Techniques disclosed herein may cause changes in torque demand to be limited in such a way to cause predictable and smooth changes in engine speed, even when engine speed and torque do not have a linear relationship to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2020Publication date: May 28, 2020Applicant: PACCAR IncInventors: Riley Sparman Kilfoyle, Christopher Balton, Charles Wayne Reinhardt Swart
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Patent number: 10570832Abstract: Techniques are disclosed herein that provide for controlling torque in a vehicle. In some embodiments, desired torque values are generated and are compared to an amount of torque currently being generated by an engine. If a different amount of torque is desired, an engine speed target is altered in a linear fashion, and then converted back to a torque request to be provided to an engine ECU for implementation. Techniques disclosed herein may cause changes in torque demand to be limited in such a way to cause predictable and smooth changes in engine speed, even when engine speed and torque do not have a linear relationship to each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2017Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: PACCAR INCInventors: Riley Sparman Kilfoyle, Christopher Balton, Charles Wayne Reinhardt Swart
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Publication number: 20190195351Abstract: A computer system (e.g., an on-board vehicle computer system) creates or updates a mapping of transmission gears and respective driveline ratios during operation of the vehicle. The system obtains a current engine speed and vehicle speed and calculates a current driveline ratio for the vehicle based on the current engine speed and vehicle speed. If the driveline is engaged, the system updates the mapping based at least in part on the current driveline ratio. Performing the update may include adding a new transmission gear or updating an existing transmission gear in the mapping, or removing a duplicate transmission gear from the mapping. Applications include cruise control, predictive cruise control, predictive shifting, and selecting a gear for a specific purpose (e.g., for descending a hill).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2017Publication date: June 27, 2019Applicant: PACCAR IncInventors: Jordan Mosher, Christopher Balton, Christopher Douglas
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Publication number: 20190055893Abstract: Techniques are disclosed herein that provide for controlling torque in a vehicle. In some embodiments, desired torque values are generated and are compared to an amount of torque currently being generated by an engine. If a different amount of torque is desired, an engine speed target is altered in a linear fashion, and then converted back to a torque request to be provided to an engine ECU for implementation. Techniques disclosed herein may cause changes in torque demand to be limited in such a way to cause predictable and smooth changes in engine speed, even when engine speed and torque do not have a linear relationship to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2017Publication date: February 21, 2019Applicant: PACCAR IncInventors: Riley Sparman Kilfoyle, Christopher Balton, Charles Wayne Reinhardt Swart
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Publication number: 20140277971Abstract: A system and method for generating vehicle fuel economy estimates. Information describing a path of travel and a vehicle are received from a user. A detailed representation of the path of travel is obtained. Road condition information for segments of the path of travel is obtained, and the path of travel is verified as being traversable by the described vehicle. This information is used to generate a drive cycle profile, which contains at least the simulated path traversed by the vehicle, the speed of the vehicle along segments of the path, and any ambient conditions taken into account when predicting the speed of the vehicle. One or more drive cycle profiles are used to generate a fuel economy estimate for the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: PACCAR IncInventors: Kevin S. Oshiro, John D. Duffy, Christopher Balton
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Publication number: 20140121933Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, a method of limiting a vehicle speed is provided. The method includes limiting the speed of the vehicle to a predetermined limit under normal operating conditions. The method further includes selectively engaging an override condition in response to an operator generated input. During the override condition, the vehicle can exceed the predetermined limit by a specified offset. The override condition is not available when the vehicle has traveled in the override condition for a predetermined number of miles.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Inventors: Zachary Slaton, Christopher Balton, Michael Repko, Suresh Kumar
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Patent number: 8406971Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling an amount of torque generated by an engine of a vehicle. The amount of torque may be controlled by limiting an amount of fuel or air or a combination thereof being provided to the engine. In some situations, controlling the amount of torque generated by the engine may be utilized to gradually limit the vehicle's acceleration, which in turn, may influence driver shifting strategies.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: PACCAR Inc.Inventors: Christopher Balton, Zachary Slaton, Nathan Paul, Ethan A. Ott
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Publication number: 20120059560Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling an amount of torque generated by an engine of a vehicle. The amount of torque may be controlled by limiting an amount of fuel or air or a combination thereof being provided to the engine. In some situations, controlling the amount of torque generated by the engine may be utilized to gradually limit the vehicle's acceleration, which in turn, may influence driver shifting strategies.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2010Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: PACCAR INCInventors: Christopher Balton, Zachary Slaton, Nathan Paul, Ethan A. Ott