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).

  • Patent number: 9211871
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Crombez, John Czubay
  • Publication number: 20110303498
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Crombez, John Czubay
  • Patent number: 8066339
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Crombez, John Czubay
  • Patent number: 7698044
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Raj Prakash, Dale Crombez, Peter Worrel, Vijay Garg
  • Patent number: 7410023
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dale Crombez
  • Publication number: 20080164753
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Crombez, Daniel Gabor, Peter Worrel, William David Treharne
  • Publication number: 20070222287
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Crombez, Matt Smith
  • Publication number: 20070124052
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: Raj Prakash, Dale Crombez, Peter Worrel, Vijay Garg
  • Publication number: 20060293766
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Schneider, Dale Crombez
  • Patent number: 7024290
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yifan Zhao, Michael Schneider, Dale Crombez
  • Publication number: 20060055239
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventors: Dale Crombez, Michael Schneider
  • Publication number: 20060047400
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventors: Raj Prakash, Dale Crombez, Peter Worrel, Vijay Garg
  • Publication number: 20060025905
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Inventors: Yifan Zhao, Michael Schneider, Dale Crombez
  • Publication number: 20060021810
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Dale Crombez
  • Publication number: 20050200197
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Crombez, John Czubay
  • Publication number: 20050151420
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: Dale Crombez, Patrick Curran, Steven Napier