Patents by Inventor Christopher Lee Danks
Christopher Lee Danks 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: 9328819Abstract: A voting strategy is used to determine the mode state of a transmission when a vehicle is restarted. The transmission includes a return to park feature and a controller including at least three memories. The controller is configured to write a remembered mode state into each memory. The remembered mode state is one of a Normal mode state that allows the transmission to automatically shift to Park, a hold mode state that causes the transmission to remain in Neutral and not automatically shift to Park upon detecting a triggering event or other mode states. The controller reads each memory and, when at least two of the remembered mode states are the same mode state, causes the transmission to enter a mode state corresponding to the same mode state.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brian J. Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Christopher Lee Danks, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch
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Patent number: 8897978Abstract: A method and system provides a Neutral Hold mode in a vehicle having a shift-by-wire transmission with a return to park feature. The Neutral Hold mode is entered upon detecting when the transmission control mechanism has been used a first time to select Neutral when a driver's door is open or has been used a second time to select Neutral. When in Neutral Hold mode, the transmission will stay in Neutral and not shift to Park upon detecting that a driver has exited the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2011Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Matthew Luke Fyie, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Brian J Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, William Russell Goodwin, Charles C Poon, Christopher Lee Danks, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch
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Publication number: 20140136060Abstract: A voting strategy is used to determine the mode state of a transmission when a vehicle is restarted. The transmission includes a return to park feature and a controller including at least three memories. The controller is configured to write a remembered mode state into each memory. The remembered mode state is one of a Normal mode state that allows the transmission to automatically shift to Park, a hold mode state that causes the transmission to remain in Neutral and not automatically shift to Park upon detecting a triggering event or other mode states. The controller reads each memory and, when at least two of the remembered mode states are the same mode state, causes the transmission to enter a mode state corresponding to the same mode state.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Inventors: Brian J. Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Christopher Lee Danks, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch
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Patent number: 8688339Abstract: A method and system provides a Neutral Tow mode in a vehicle with a shift-by-wire transmission by displaying a Neutral Tow mode option when the transmission control mechanism has been used to select Park, an ignition switch is on, and an engine is off or an information button has been pushed and entering a Neutral Tow mode upon detecting a triggering event. The Neutral Tow mode is canceled upon detecting a certain sequence of events, such as turning on the ignition switch, depressing and holding a brake pedal, and selecting Park. When in Neutral Tow mode the transmission will stay in Neutral, without automatically shifting to Park or using battery power, thereby enabling the vehicle to be towed long distances without draining battery power.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Matthew Luke Fyie, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Brian J Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Charles C Poon, William Russell Goodwin, Christopher Lee Danks, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch
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Patent number: 8648689Abstract: A system includes a controller that executes a method for determining failure of the door latch sensor using both the door latch sensor and a door lock sensor. If the door latch sensor is faulty, the controller adjusts an automatic feature of the vehicle based on a door lock signal instead of a door state signal. The controller is also configured to mark the door latch signal as faulty if the door latch system is not functioning properly by using a fault counter that tracks the door lock sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2012Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Brian J Deurloo, Christopher Lee Danks, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Jeffrey James Tumavitch, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Charles C Poon
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Patent number: 8634995Abstract: A voting strategy is used to determine the mode state of a transmission when a vehicle is restarted. A Powertrain Control Module, a Transmission Range Control Module, and a Gear Shift Module communicate through a communication network during execution of the voting strategy. Each module stores a remembered mode state (Normal, Neutral Hold, Neutral Tow, etc.) of the transmission in non-volatile memory. Upon module initialization, the Powertrain Control Module will compare its own remembered mode state of the transmission with the remembered mode state reported by the other two modules. A basic voting strategy is that if two of the three modules report the same remembered mode state then the Powertrain Control Module changes the transmission to that same mode state.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2011Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brian J Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Christopher Lee Danks, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch
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Patent number: 8515635Abstract: A method and system provides a Brake Transmission Shift Interlock Override mode in a vehicle including a shift-by-wire transmission. With power applied and ignition on, a driver will press and hold an override switch for a calibrated time. While the override switch is pressed, the driver presses a non-Park button for another calibrated time. The result will be that the vehicle is placed in the selected range wherein the transmission will not automatically shift to Park upon detecting a triggering event. The driver is able to shift the vehicle from Park, even if an electrical failure prevents the transmission from shifting out of Park. As such the vehicle can be driven until the failure is serviced.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2011Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technology, LLCInventors: Todd Curtis Spaulding, Brian J Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Turnavitch, Christopher Lee Danks, David Spuller, Charles C Poon, Matthew Luke Fyie
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Publication number: 20130207773Abstract: A system includes a controller that executes a method for determining failure of the door latch sensor using both the door latch sensor and a door lock sensor. If the door latch sensor is faulty, the controller adjusts an automatic feature of the vehicle based on a door lock signal instead of a door state signal. The controller is also configured to mark the door latch signal as faulty if the door latch system is not functioning properly by using a fault counter that tracks the door lock sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2012Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Brian J. Deurloo, Christopher Lee Danks, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Jeffrey James Tumavitch, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Charles C. Poon
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Publication number: 20130151095Abstract: A method and system provides a Neutral Hold mode in a vehicle having a shift-by-wire transmission with a return to park feature. The Neutral Hold mode is entered upon detecting when the transmission control mechanism has been used a first time to select Neutral when a driver's door is open or has been used a second time to select Neutral. When in Neutral Hold mode, the transmission will stay in Neutral and not shift to Park upon detecting that a driver has exited the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2011Publication date: June 13, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Matthew Luke Fyie, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Brian J. Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, William Russell Goodwin, Charles C. Poon, Christopher Lee Danks, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch
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Publication number: 20130151096Abstract: A method and system provides a Neutral Tow mode in a vehicle with a shift-by-wire transmission by displaying a Neutral Tow mode option when the transmission control mechanism has been used to select Park, an ignition switch is on, and an engine is off or an information button has been pushed and entering a Neutral Tow mode upon detecting a triggering event. The Neutral Tow mode is canceled upon detecting a certain sequence of events, such as turning on the ignition switch, depressing and holding a brake pedal, and selecting Park. When in Neutral Tow mode the transmission will stay in Neutral, without automatically shifting to Park or using battery power, thereby enabling the vehicle to be towed long distances without draining battery power.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2011Publication date: June 13, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Matthew Luke Fyie, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Brian J. Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Charles C. Poon, William Russell Goodwin, Christopher Lee Danks, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch
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Publication number: 20130151097Abstract: A voting strategy is used to determine the mode state of a transmission when a vehicle is restarted. A Powertrain Control Module, a Transmission Range Control Module, and a Gear Shift Module communicate through a communication network during execution of the voting strategy. Each module stores a remembered mode state (Normal, Neutral Hold, Neutral Tow, etc.) of the transmission in non-volatile memory. Upon module initialization, the Powertrain Control Module will compare its own remembered mode state of the transmission with the remembered mode state reported by the other two modules. A basic voting strategy is that if two of the three modules report the same remembered mode state then the Powertrain Control Module changes the transmission to that same mode state.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2011Publication date: June 13, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Brian J. Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Christopher Lee Danks, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch
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Publication number: 20130151092Abstract: A method and system provides a Brake Transmission Shift Interlock Override mode in a vehicle including a shift-by-wire transmission. With power applied and ignition on, a driver will press and hold an override switch for a calibrated time. While the override switch is pressed, the driver presses a non-Park button for another calibrated time. The result will be that the vehicle is placed in the selected range wherein the transmission will not automatically shift to Park upon detecting a triggering event. The driver is able to shift the vehicle from Park, even if an electrical failure prevents the transmission from shifting out of Park. As such the vehicle can be driven until the failure is serviced.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2011Publication date: June 13, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Todd Curtis Spaulding, Brian J. Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch, Christopher Lee Danks, David Spuller, Charles C. Poon, Matthew Luke Fyie