Patents by Inventor Donald A. Perlick
Donald A. Perlick 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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Publication number: 20240054827Abstract: Methods and apparatus for indications in automated vehicle hold systems are disclosed. An example apparatus includes determining that the automated vehicle hold system is active. Based on the determination that the automated vehicle hold system is active, initiating a delay timer. Prior to the delay timer elapsing, providing, by executing instructions with at least one processor, a first indication corresponding to the auto hold not being engaged, and upon the delay timer elapsing, providing a second indication corresponding to the auto hold being engaged.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2022Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Alex James, Donald A. Perlick, Bang Kim Cao
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Patent number: 10836366Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for automatic calibration of electronic trailer brake gain. An example apparatus includes a trailer brake gain calibration module programmed to compare a calculated trailer brake torque to at least one of a first or second threshold, adjust a gain value based upon satisfaction of at least one of the first or second threshold, and apply a pressure to a trailer brake based on the gain value.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Alex James, Thomas Salmon, Donald A. Perlick, Bang Kim Cao
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Patent number: 10829098Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed herein that perform automatic downhill snub braking. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes an electronic powertrain controller to cause a deceleration of a vehicle in response to a first request from an electronic cruise controller, the first request responsive to a change in grade of a driving surface and an electronic brake controller to apply snub braking to the vehicle in response to a second request received from the electronic cruise controller, the second request responsive to a speed of the vehicle reaching a maximum speed.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald A. Perlick, Bang Kim Cao, Kurt Howard Nickerson
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Patent number: 10625750Abstract: Methods and apparatus to extricate a vehicle from a stuck condition, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example apparatus includes: a user interface to receive a command to place a vehicle in an autonomous control mode of the vehicle; and a stuck mode controller to autonomously shift a transmission of the vehicle alternately between a reverse gear and a forward gear of the vehicle when in the autonomous control mode to autonomously rock the vehicle back and forth. A timing of the shifting of the transmission is based on a ratio of a velocity of the vehicle to an acceleration of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Alex James, Donald A. Perlick, Thomas Salmon, Bang Kim Cao
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Publication number: 20200017078Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed herein that perform automatic downhill snub braking. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes an electronic powertrain controller to cause a deceleration of a vehicle in response to a first request from an electronic cruise controller, the first request responsive to a change in grade of a driving surface and an electronic brake controller to apply snub braking to the vehicle in response to a second request received from the electronic cruise controller, the second request responsive to a speed of the vehicle reaching a maximum speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2018Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventors: Donald A. Perlick, Bang Kim Cao, Kurt Howard Nickerson
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Publication number: 20190366989Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for automatic calibration of electronic trailer brake gain. An example apparatus includes a trailer brake gain calibration module programmed to compare a calculated trailer brake torque to at least one of a first or second threshold, adjust a gain value based upon satisfaction of at least one of the first or second threshold, and apply a pressure to a trailer brake based on the gain value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Alex James, Thomas Salmon, Donald A. Perlick, Bang Kim Cao
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Patent number: 10495161Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to perform brake sweeping procedures on vehicle brakes are described herein. An example apparatus includes a controller to determine when a vehicle has made a turn, compare an angle at which the vehicle has turned to an angle threshold, and schedule a brake sweeping procedure based on the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas Salmon, Alex James, Bang Kim Cao, Donald A. Perlick
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Publication number: 20190283767Abstract: Methods and apparatus to extricate a vehicle from a stuck condition, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example apparatus includes: a user interface to receive a command to place a vehicle in an autonomous control mode of the vehicle; and a stuck mode controller to autonomously shift a transmission of the vehicle alternately between a reverse gear and a forward gear of the vehicle when in the autonomous control mode to autonomously rock the vehicle back and forth. A timing of the shifting of the transmission is based on a ratio of a velocity of the vehicle to an acceleration of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Alex James, Donald A. Perlick, Thomas Salmon, Bang Kim Cao
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Patent number: 10358141Abstract: Methods and apparatus to extricate a vehicle from a stuck condition, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a command to place a vehicle in a stuck mode. The stuck mode corresponds to an autonomous control mode of the vehicle. The method further includes autonomously controlling the vehicle in the stuck mode to attempt to extricate the vehicle from a stuck condition.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2016Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Alex James, Donald A. Perlick, Thomas Salmon, Bang Kim Cao
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Publication number: 20180229698Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to perform brake sweeping procedures on vehicle brakes are described herein. An example apparatus includes a controller to determine when a vehicle has made a turn, compare an angle at which the vehicle has turned to an angle threshold, and schedule a brake sweeping procedure based on the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2017Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Thomas Salmon, Alex James, Bang Kim Cao, Donald A. Perlick
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Patent number: 10015260Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive sensor data from a vehicle sensor. The processor is also configured to determine an existence of a condition for which information display has been designated. The processor is further configured to determine a non-vehicular device predesignated for receipt and display of the information and responsive to the condition determination, transfer the information to the device.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald A. Perlick, Jerry Alex James, Howard Churchwell
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Publication number: 20180124177Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive sensor data from a vehicle sensor. The processor is also configured to determine an existence of a condition for which information display has been designated. The processor is further configured to determine a non-vehicular device predesignated for receipt and display of the information and responsive to the condition determination, transfer the information to the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2016Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Donald A. PERLICK, Jerry Alex JAMES, Howard CHURCHWELL
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Publication number: 20180111625Abstract: Methods and apparatus to extricate a vehicle from a stuck condition, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a command to place a vehicle in a stuck mode. The stuck mode corresponds to an autonomous control mode of the vehicle. The method further includes autonomously controlling the vehicle in the stuck mode to attempt to extricate the vehicle from a stuck condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2016Publication date: April 26, 2018Inventors: Alex James, Donald A. Perlick, Thomas Salmon, Bang Kim Cao
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Patent number: 9321440Abstract: A vehicle comprises a speed-sensing device outputting a signal indicating a velocity of the vehicle, a brake system outputting a signal for indicating when the brake system is being commanded to a brake torque providing state, and a trailer brake controller coupled to the speed-sensing device and the brake system. The trailer brake controller utilizes the signal of the speed-sensing device to determine when the vehicle is in a zero-velocity state and utilizes the signal of the brake system to determine when the brake system is being commanded to the brake torque providing state. The trailer brake controller transitions a brake-actuating output signal thereof from a speed-dependent zero-velocity output signal value to a trailer hold zero-velocity output signal value greater than the speed-dependent zero-velocity output signal value when it is determined that the brake system is in the brake torque providing state while the vehicle is in the zero-velocity state.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2011Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Ford Global TechnologiesInventors: Donald A. Perlick, Anthony Joseph Rendi, Thomas Salmon, Jerry Alex James
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Patent number: 9037341Abstract: A method and system for displaying a traction control ON/OFF menu at a display module in a vehicle upon detection of vehicle characteristics and conditions that may warrant a driver's desire to manually disable the traction control feature. The method and system verify traction control is enabled on the vehicle, verify the traction control ON/OFF menu is not already being displayed at a display module, a controller receives at least one signal indicating an occasion that may warrant manual deactivation of traction control and the controller initiates displaying the traction control ON/OFF menu for the convenience of the driver.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Inventors: Jerry Alex James, Donald A. Perlick, Thomas Salmon, Bang Kim Cao, Anthony Joseph Rendi
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Publication number: 20130325255Abstract: A method and system for displaying a traction control ON/OFF menu at a display module in a vehicle upon detection of vehicle characteristics and conditions that may warrant a driver's desire to manually disable the traction control feature. The method and system verify traction control is enabled on the vehicle, verify the traction control ON/OFF menu is not already being displayed at a display module, a controller receives at least one signal indicating an occasion that may warrant manual deactivation of traction control and the controller initiates displaying the traction control ON/OFF menu for the convenience of the driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Inventors: Jerry Alex James, Donald A. Perlick, Thomas Salmon, Bang Kim Cao, Anthony Joseph Rendi
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Publication number: 20130124058Abstract: A vehicle comprises a speed-sensing device outputting a signal indicating a velocity of the vehicle, a brake system outputting a signal for indicating when the brake system is being commanded to a brake torque providing state, and a trailer brake controller coupled to the speed-sensing device and the brake system. The trailer brake controller utilizes the signal of the speed-sensing device to determine when the vehicle is in a zero-velocity state and utilizes the signal of the brake system to determine when the brake system is being commanded to the brake torque providing state. The trailer brake controller transitions a brake-actuating output signal thereof from a speed-dependent zero-velocity output signal value to a trailer hold zero-velocity output signal value greater than the speed-dependent zero-velocity output signal value when it is determined that the brake system is in the brake torque providing state while the vehicle is in the zero-velocity state.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Inventors: Donald A. Perlick, Anthony Joseph Rendi, Thomas Salmon, Jerry Alex James