Patents by Inventor Dennis Light
Dennis Light 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: 11912279Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting functionality of a vehicle are described. In one example, vehicle feature modules may specify vehicle behaviors and vehicle operation is limited according to the specified behaviors. Vehicle actuators may be adjusted to limit vehicle operation according to the specified vehicle behaviors. The vehicle behaviors may apply to powertrain systems, navigation systems, climate control systems, lighting systems and other vehicle systems.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Scott Thompson, David Hancock, Scott Christensen, John Rollinger, Jeremy Russell, Jeffrey Tumavitch, Dennis Light, David Schmitt
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Publication number: 20230070435Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting functionality of a vehicle are described. In one example, vehicle feature modules may specify vehicle behaviors and vehicle operation is limited according to the specified behaviors. Vehicle actuators may be adjusted to limit vehicle operation according to the specified vehicle behaviors. The vehicle behaviors may apply to powertrain systems, navigation systems, climate control systems, lighting systems and other vehicle systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2021Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Scott Thompson, David Hancock, Scott Christensen, John Rollinger, Jeremy Russell, Jeffrey Tumavitch, Dennis Light, David Schmitt
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Patent number: 8602001Abstract: A lubrication torque limit module includes a temperature module that determines a temperature of an engine and generates an engine temperature signal. A limit module generates a torque limit signal based on the temperature signal and a speed of the engine. The torque limit signal identifies an indicated torque maximum limit. A torque arbitration module limits indicated torque of the engine based on the indicated torque maximum limit. The indicated torque of the engine is equal to an unmanaged brake torque of the engine plus an overall friction torque of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Inventors: Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Christopher E. Whitney, Timothy W. Athan, Dennis A. Light, Timothy L. Gibbs
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Patent number: 8483935Abstract: A method for selectively creating vacuum in a hybrid powertrain controlled by a hybrid control processor and having an engine controlled by an engine control module includes requesting a pressure differential between a first intake point and a second intake point, wherein the first intake point and the second intake point are separated by a throttle. An actual torque capacity is calculated for the engine, wherein the actual torque capacity occurs when pressure is substantially equal at the first intake point and at the second intake point. A desired torque capacity is also calculated for the engine, wherein the desired torque capacity reduces the pressure at the second intake point relative to the pressure at the first intake point, such that the requested pressure differential is created. The engine is then operated at one of the desired torque capacity and the actual torque capacity.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2010Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Christopher E. Whitney, William R. Cawthorne, Anthony H. Heap, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Dennis A. Light, Jon C. Wasberg, Weixin Yan
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Patent number: 8364373Abstract: A method of operating a hybrid powertrain having an internal combustion engine monitors a throttle intake pressure and calculates a first torque capacity from a pressure model using the throttle intake pressure as an input. The method determines a maximum expected air mass from the monitored throttle intake pressure and calculates a second torque capacity from an air mass model using the maximum expected air mass volume as an input. The method calculates a final torque capacity as a function of the first torque capacity and the second torque capacity, and sends the final torque capacity to the hybrid control processor. An engine control module receives a torque request calculated as a function of the final torque capacity. A manifold pressure request is calculated as a function of the torque request, and a throttle is actuated as a function of the manifold pressure request.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Dennis A. Light, Anthony H. Heap, Honghao Tan
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Publication number: 20120067327Abstract: A lubrication torque limit module includes a temperature module that determines a temperature of an engine and generates an engine temperature signal. A limit module generates a torque limit signal based on the temperature signal and a speed of the engine. The torque limit signal identifies an indicated torque maximum limit. A torque arbitration module limits indicated torque of the engine based on the indicated torque maximum limit. The indicated torque of the engine is equal to an unmanaged brake torque of the engine plus an overall friction torque of the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2011Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Christopher E. Whitney, Timothy W. Athan, Dennis A. Light, Timothy L. Gibbs
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Publication number: 20120065864Abstract: A method for selectively creating vacuum in a hybrid powertrain controlled by a hybrid control processor and having an engine controlled by an engine control module includes requesting a pressure differential between a first intake point and a second intake point, wherein the first intake point and the second intake point are separated by a throttle. An actual torque capacity is calculated for the engine, wherein the actual torque capacity occurs when pressure is substantially equal at the first intake point and at the second intake point. A desired torque capacity is also calculated for the engine, wherein the desired torque capacity reduces the pressure at the second intake point relative to the pressure at the first intake point, such that the requested pressure differential is created. The engine is then operated at one of the desired torque capacity and the actual torque capacity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2010Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, William R. Cawthorne, Anthony H. Heap, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Dennis A. Light, Jon C. Wasberg, Weixin Yan
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Publication number: 20120053765Abstract: A method of operating a hybrid powertrain having an internal combustion engine monitors a throttle intake pressure and calculates a first torque capacity from a pressure model using the throttle intake pressure as an input. The method determines a maximum expected air mass from the monitored throttle intake pressure and calculates a second torque capacity from an air mass model using the maximum expected air mass volume as an input. The method calculates a final torque capacity as a function of the first torque capacity and the second torque capacity, and sends the final torque capacity to the hybrid control processor. An engine control module receives a torque request calculated as a function of the final torque capacity. A manifold pressure request is calculated as a function of the torque request, and a throttle is actuated as a function of the manifold pressure request.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2010Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Dennis A. Light, Anthony H. Heap, Honghao Tan
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Patent number: 6718943Abstract: In order to control vehicle shuffle, ie undesired fore and aft oscillations of the vehicle, the invention discloses a method comprising the steps of: continuously sensing the speed of the vehicle motor and producing a signal representing the speed analysing the speed signal determining a mean value for the speed signal identifying fluctuations from the mean value filtering the signal to remove the mean value and to retain the fluctuations applying a phase change to the filtered signal applying a deadband such that signals below a predetermined magnitude are ignored amplifying the filtered and phase changed signal resulting from the deadband application, and supplying the filtered, phase changed and amplified signal to a controller which controls the torque output of the vehicle motor.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2001Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Stephen De La Salle, Dennis Light, Martin Jansz
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Publication number: 20040055568Abstract: A system and method wherein a torque monitoring algorithm compares torque demand (i.e., driver-demanded torque computed primarily from acceleration pedal position), with two independent torque estimates (e.g., one estimated from throttle position and one estimated from mass airflow (MAF) to the intake manifold). If the maximum of the two actual torque estimates exceeds the driver-demanded torque, the monitoring algorithm logic intervenes in engine torque production (e.g., shuts off fuel to cylinders) and lights a service (wrench) light. In order to prevent, or minimize, unnecessary engine torque production intervention, reducing a torque demand signal to the throttle by a factor, such factor being a function of airflow meter load divided by throttle load. If the air-meter reads higher than the throttle based estimate of air and torque, then the method simply closes the throttle until the air-meter is satisfied.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2002Publication date: March 25, 2004Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dennis A. Light, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Michael John Cullen, Tobias John Pallett
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Patent number: 6705286Abstract: A system and method wherein a torque monitoring algorithm compares torque demand (i.e., driver-demanded torque computed primarily from acceleration pedal position), with two independent torque estimates (e.g., one estimated from throttle position and one estimated from mass airflow (MAF) to the intake manifold). If the maximum of the two actual torque estimates exceeds the driver-demanded torque, the monitoring algorithm logic intervenes in engine torque production (e.g., shuts off fuel to cylinders) and lights a service (wrench) light. In order to prevent, or minimize, unnecessary engine torque production intervention, reducing a torque demand signal to the throttle by a factor, such factor being a function of airflow meter load divided by throttle load.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dennis A. Light, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Michael John Cullen, Tobias John Pallett