Patents by Inventor Dale Crombez
Dale Crombez 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: 9211871Abstract: A vehicle and a method for controlling regenerative braking may utilize the maximum available regenerative braking torque for some time during a braking event. As the vehicle speed and/or powertrain torque decreases, the regenerative braking torque is controlled to deviate from the maximum. The point at which the regenerative braking torque deviates from the maximum is chosen based on the level of vehicle deceleration. The regenerative braking torque is then smoothly blended out until it reaches zero. The regenerative braking torque is brought to zero when the vehicle speed is very low, thereby eliminating the inefficiencies associated with operating a motor at a very low speed.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2011Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dale Crombez, John Czubay
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Publication number: 20110303498Abstract: A vehicle and a method for controlling regenerative braking may utilize the maximum available regenerative braking torque for some time during a braking event. As the vehicle speed and/or powertrain torque decreases, the regenerative braking torque is controlled to deviate from the maximum. The point at which the regenerative braking torque deviates from the maximum is chosen based on the level of vehicle deceleration. The regenerative braking torque is then smoothly blended out until it reaches zero. The regenerative braking torque is brought to zero when the vehicle speed is very low, thereby eliminating the inefficiencies associated with operating a motor at a very low speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2011Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Dale Crombez, John Czubay
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Patent number: 8066339Abstract: A vehicle and a method for controlling regenerative braking are provided. To take advantage of regenerative braking, the maximum available regenerative braking torque is utilized for some time during a braking event. As the vehicle speed and/or powertrain torque decreases, the regenerative braking torque is controlled to deviate from the maximum. The point at which the regenerative braking torque deviates from the maximum is chosen based on the level of vehicle deceleration. The regenerative braking torque is then smoothly blended out until it reaches zero. The regenerative braking torque is brought to zero when the vehicle speed is very low, thereby eliminating the inefficiencies associated with operating a motor at a very low speed. This control of the regenerative braking torque provides a smooth and consistent feel to the vehicle operator.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2004Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dale Crombez, John Czubay
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Patent number: 7698044Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for braking and stopping a vehicle whose powertrain includes an electric drive. The electric drive is used to generate braking torque which is used to decelerate the vehicle down to a full stop. The braking torque is achieved using any of several closed loop speed control systems. The system can be used as a substitute for or as a supplement to conventional friction bakes.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2007Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Raj Prakash, Dale Crombez, Peter Worrel, Vijay Garg
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Patent number: 7410023Abstract: A system and method is provided for braking a vehicle having multiple wheels. The method includes applying friction braking and powertrain braking to the vehicle. The method includes reducing the powertrain braking by a predetermined amount. The method also includes compensating the friction braking in an amount that is substantially the same as the predetermined amount. The method further includes redistributing the friction braking to the multiple wheels and modulating the friction braking being applied to the multiple wheels, thereby reducing the occurrence of a wheel lockup by the multiple wheels.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Dale Crombez
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Publication number: 20080164753Abstract: A method for providing brake boosting in a hybrid motor vehicle having a brake boosting system powered by an internal combustion engine and by an auxiliary brake boosting device includes monitoring the output of an auxiliary brake boosting device not driven by the engine, and in the event that the auxiliary brake boosting device is not operating properly, starting the internal combustion engine associated with the vehicle to provide a desired level of brake boost.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dale Crombez, Daniel Gabor, Peter Worrel, William David Treharne
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Publication number: 20070222287Abstract: An automotive regenerative and friction braking system uses a separate brake system control module and a powertrain control module. The brake system control module normally operates the friction and regenerative brakes in a coordinated, or series, configuration. In the event that the brake system control module becomes inoperative, the powertrain control module will operate the regenerative braking system in a parallel, or independent, configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2006Publication date: September 27, 2007Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Dale Crombez, Matt Smith
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Publication number: 20070124052Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for braking and stopping a vehicle whose powertrain includes an electric drive. The electric drive is used to generate braking torque which is used to decelerate the vehicle down to a full stop. The braking torque is achieved using any of several closed loop speed control systems. The system can be used as a substitute for or as a supplement to conventional friction bakes.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2007Publication date: May 31, 2007Inventors: Raj Prakash, Dale Crombez, Peter Worrel, Vijay Garg
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Publication number: 20060293766Abstract: A system and method that compensates for the time delay between a sensed oscillatory signal and an oscillatory input control signal TCin are provided. Initially, an oscillation signal is detected and/or a need for time delay compensation is determined. An algorithm is performed on the TCin to provide an actuator output signal, TCout. In a preferred embodiment when TCin has peaked and has begun to be reduced from the peak by a delta amount, the actuator output TCout is commanded immediately to a central value of the oscillation. In another preferred embodiment, when the control signal TCin has peaked and has begun to be reduced from the peak by a delta amount, the actuator output TCout is commanded immediately to an alternate value with an offset large enough to drive the TCout past the central value of the oscillation and toward an opposite peak.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2005Publication date: December 28, 2006Inventors: Michael Schneider, Dale Crombez
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Patent number: 7024290Abstract: A system and method for actively damping driveline oscillations in a motor vehicle having a traction motor to drive a vehicle's drive wheels and an antilock brake system (ABS). A traction motor controller controls a torque output signal of the motor to effectively to dampen driveline oscillations during an ABS operation. A proportional, a proportional derivative, or a derivative controller may be used to generate the torque output signal based on at least one of motor speed, an average of the drive wheel speeds, a difference in the two speeds, a motor angular acceleration, an average wheel angular acceleration, and a difference in the angular accelerations. Motor speed signals and average drive wheel speed signals may be filtered to eliminate high frequency components of each speed signal. Additionally, amplitude of the torque output signal may be limited within a positive upper and a negative lower active motor damping limit.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Yifan Zhao, Michael Schneider, Dale Crombez
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Publication number: 20060055239Abstract: A system and method for maximizing the post-ABS regenerative braking capability of an automotive vehicle having regenerative braking available for more than one axle determines the availability of surplus regenerative braking capacity on a first axle and then uses the surplus, if any, to satisfy the brake demand for another axle having insufficient regenerative braking capacity. This system restores regenerative braking without causing the regenerative braking to trigger a subsequent ABS event.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2004Publication date: March 16, 2006Inventors: Dale Crombez, Michael Schneider
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Publication number: 20060047400Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for braking and stopping a vehicle whose powertrain includes an electric drive. The electric drive is used to generate braking torque which is used to decelerate the vehicle down to a full stop. The braking torque is achieved using any of several closed loop speed control systems. The system can be used as a substitute for or as a supplement to conventional friction bakes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2004Publication date: March 2, 2006Inventors: Raj Prakash, Dale Crombez, Peter Worrel, Vijay Garg
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Publication number: 20060025905Abstract: A system and method for actively damping driveline oscillations in a motor vehicle having a traction motor to drive a vehicle's drive wheels and an antilock brake system (ABS). A traction motor controller controls a torque output signal of the motor to effectively to dampen driveline oscillations during an ABS operation. A proportional, a proportional derivative, or a derivative controller may be used to generate the torque output signal based on at least one of motor speed, an average of the drive wheel speeds, a difference in the two speeds, a motor angular acceleration, an average wheel angular acceleration, and a difference in the angular accelerations. Motor speed signals and average drive wheel speed signals may be filtered to eliminate high frequency components of each speed signal. Additionally, amplitude of the torque output signal may be limited within a positive upper and a negative lower active motor damping limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2004Publication date: February 2, 2006Inventors: Yifan Zhao, Michael Schneider, Dale Crombez
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Publication number: 20060021810Abstract: A system and method is provided for braking a vehicle having multiple wheels. The method includes applying friction braking and powertrain braking to the vehicle. The method includes reducing the powertrain braking by a predetermined amount. The method also includes compensating the friction braking in an amount that is substantially the same as the predetermined amount. The method further includes redistributing the friction braking to the multiple wheels and modulating the friction braking being applied to the multiple wheels, thereby reducing the occurrence of a wheel lockup by the multiple wheels.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2005Publication date: February 2, 2006Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Dale Crombez
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Publication number: 20050200197Abstract: A vehicle and a method for controlling regenerative braking are provided. To take advantage of regenerative braking, the maximum available regenerative braking torque is utilized for some time during a braking event. As the vehicle speed and/or powertrain torque decreases, the regenerative braking torque is controlled to deviate from the maximum. The point at which the regenerative braking torque deviates from the maximum is chosen based on the level of vehicle deceleration. The regenerative braking torque is then smoothly blended out until it reaches zero. The regenerative braking torque is brought to zero when the vehicle speed is very low, thereby eliminating the inefficiencies associated with operating a motor at a very low speed. This control of the regenerative braking torque provides a smooth and consistent feel to the vehicle operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2004Publication date: September 15, 2005Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Dale Crombez, John Czubay
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Publication number: 20050151420Abstract: A powertrain control method and strategy for a hybrid electric vehicle is disclosed including establishing electric motor-generator regenerative braking on a first driving axle and engine compression braking for a second driving axle when the vehicle is in a deceleration mode and friction braking the first driving axle when regenerative braking, the friction braking complementing regenerative braking to satisfy a given total braking request.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2005Publication date: July 14, 2005Inventors: Dale Crombez, Patrick Curran, Steven Napier