Patents by Inventor Eric Michael Rademacher

Eric Michael Rademacher 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: 11315368
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for restarting an engine following an engine idle-stop. In one example, a method may include, following a first unsuccessful engine restart attempt, prompting a driver, via a human machine interface (HMI) to apply a brake pedal and upon application of the brake pedal, carrying out one or more restart attempts. If the driver does not apply the brake pedal within the threshold duration, the driver may be prompted to manually restart the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Eric Michael Rademacher, Ahmed Awadi, Daniel Yeaw, Paul Joseph Szuszman, Richard John Hippley
  • Patent number: 11098688
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes an engine that may be automatically stopped and started are described. In one example, an amount of time to start an engine and a rate of engine acceleration are adjusted in response to what type of event triggered an automatic engine start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ahmed Awadi, Kenneth Carl Leisenring, Scott Makowski, Eric Michael Rademacher
  • Patent number: 11027592
    Abstract: A vehicle climate control system includes a heat exchanger to heat ambient air using engine waste heat, and a plurality of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements to heat air passed through the heat exchanger. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to, while the vehicle is driven without engine propulsion, issue a command to sequentially de-energize the PTC heating elements before an upcoming engine activation. The sequential de-energization of the PTC heating elements is performed according to a schedule that is based upon a power surge dissipation time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Kirk Pebley, Eric Michael Rademacher, Michael J. Irby, James C. Rollinson
  • Patent number: 10994610
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes an engine that may be automatically stopped and started are described. In one example, an engine may be automatically stopped in response to an electric assisted braking threshold level that is adjusted responsive to vehicle speed so that opportunities to automatically stop an engine may be increased, thereby conserving fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Eric Michael Rademacher, Ahmed Awadi, Hussam Makkiya, Daniel Borrello
  • Publication number: 20210062775
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes an engine that may be automatically stopped and started are described. In one example, an amount of time to start an engine and a rate of engine acceleration are adjusted in response to what type of event triggered an automatic engine start.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Ahmed Awadi, Kenneth Carl Leisenring, Scott Makowski, Eric Michael Rademacher
  • Publication number: 20210043015
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for restarting an engine following an engine idle-stop. In one example, a method may include, following a first unsuccessful engine restart attempt, prompting a driver, via a human machine interface (HMI) to apply a brake pedal and upon application of the brake pedal, carrying out one or more restart attempts. If the driver does not apply the brake pedal within the threshold duration, the driver may be prompted to manually restart the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Eric Michael Rademacher, Ahmed Awadi, Daniel Yeaw, Paul Joseph Szuszman, Richard John Hippley
  • Publication number: 20210008980
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes an engine that may be automatically stopped and started are described. In one example, an engine may be automatically stopped in response to an electric assisted braking threshold level that is adjusted responsive to vehicle speed so that opportunities to automatically stop an engine may be increased, thereby conserving fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Eric Michael Rademacher, Ahmed Awadi, Hussam Makkiya, Daniel Borrello
  • Patent number: 10527018
    Abstract: A vehicle engine start/stop control method includes shifting an automatic transmission to a park or neutral position and auto-stopping the engine in response the automatic transmission being in the park or neutral position for a predetermined period of time that begins with a shift of the automatic transmission to the park or neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Eric Michael Rademacher, Hank L. Kwong, Siraj Siddiqui, Giuseppe Domenico Suffredini
  • Patent number: 10501080
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain and an electric parking brake. A controller activates the electric parking brake in response to the powertrain transitioning to an off state that inhibits production of propulsive torque during an ignition cycle when a vehicle speed is less than a predetermined speed and in a presence of conditions that inhibit the powertrain from transitioning to an on state that permits production of propulsive torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Kirk Pebley, Eric Michael Rademacher, Hank L. Kwong, Chad Michael Korte
  • Patent number: 10480477
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and at least one controller. The at least one controller periodically determines an estimated current to be demanded by vehicle electrical loads during an auto stop of the engine, compares the estimated current with a threshold current, and inhibits an auto stop of the engine if the estimated current is greater than the threshold current for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sangeetha Sangameswaran, Kevin Roy Harpenau, Kirk Pebley, David Celinske, Eric Michael Rademacher
  • Publication number: 20190329626
    Abstract: A vehicle climate control system includes a heat exchanger to heat ambient air using engine waste heat, and a plurality of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements to heat air passed through the heat exchanger. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to, while the vehicle is driven without engine propulsion, issue a command to sequentially de-energize the PTC heating elements before an upcoming engine activation. The sequential de-energization of the PTC heating elements is performed according to a schedule that is based upon a power surge dissipation time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Kirk Pebley, Eric Michael Rademacher, Michael J. Irby, James C. Rollinson
  • Patent number: 10408183
    Abstract: Systems and methods for restarting an engine are presented. In one example, an engine may be automatically stopped and started in response to thresholds that may be adjusted as a distance traveled by the vehicle increases. The thresholds may be adjusted responsive to useful life consumed of an engine starter that may participate in automatic engine starting and stopping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Kenneth James Miller, Eric Michael Rademacher, Alexander O'Connor Gibson
  • Patent number: 10407046
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine configured for autostop and autostart. The vehicle further includes an electric actuator for an active front steering system. Before the engine is autostopped, a controlled decrease in demand current for the electric actuator is initiated. After the engine is autostarted, a controlled increase in demand current for the electric actuator is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Attila Benak, Kirk Pebley, Gregory Ziemba, Eric Michael Rademacher
  • Patent number: 10322708
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes an engine, an alternator or integrated starter generator, and at least one controller. The at least one controller reduces voltage output of the alternator or integrated starter generator prior to initiating an auto stop of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Filip Tomik, Eric Michael Rademacher, Alexander O'Connor Gibson, John Anthony DeMarco, Chad Everette Griffin, Kirk Pebley
  • Patent number: 10266178
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a controller programmed to autostop and autostart the engine. The controller is further programmed to, in response to receiving signals indicative of a driver exiting the vehicle while the engine is auto stopped, autostart the engine, and after expiration of a predetermined duration, autostop the engine and inhibit vehicle propulsion until an ignition cycle is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Eric Michael Rademacher, Ahmed Awadi, Hank L. Kwong, Giuseppe Domenico Suffredini
  • Publication number: 20180258898
    Abstract: Systems and methods for restarting an engine are presented. In one example, an engine may be automatically stopped and started in response to thresholds that may be adjusted as a distance traveled by the vehicle increases. The thresholds may be adjusted responsive to useful life consumed of devices that may participate in automatic engine starting and stopping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Kenneth James Miller, Eric Michael Rademacher, Alexander O`Connor Gibson
  • Publication number: 20180258897
    Abstract: Systems and methods for restarting an engine are presented. In one example, an engine may be automatically stopped and started in response to thresholds that may be adjusted as a distance traveled by the vehicle increases. The thresholds may be adjusted responsive to useful life consumed of an engine starter that may participate in automatic engine starting and stopping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Kenneth James Miller, Eric Michael Rademacher, Alexander O`Connor Gibson
  • Patent number: 10072626
    Abstract: Systems and methods for restarting an engine are presented. In one example, an engine may be automatically stopped and started in response to thresholds that may be adjusted as a distance traveled by the vehicle increases. The thresholds may be adjusted responsive to useful life consumed of devices that may participate in automatic engine starting and stopping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Kenneth James Miller, Eric Michael Rademacher, Alexander O'Connor Gibson
  • Patent number: 10029688
    Abstract: A stop/start hybrid vehicle includes an engine configured for stopping and restarting during travel, a multiple-ratio transmission, a brake pedal, and an electronic parking brake. The transmission can be shifted into reverse gear either when the brake pedal is applied or unapplied. At least one controller is programmed to control the vehicle under these scenarios. If the engine is off and the brake pedal is applied when the transmission is shifted into reverse, the controller restarts the engine. If the engine is off and the brake pedal is unapplied when the transmission is shifted into reverse, the controller inhibits the engine from restarting until the brake pedal is applied. The controller can also be programmed to apply the electronic parking brake while the brake pedal remains unapplied after a predetermined time from the transmission being shifted into the reverse gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Kirk Pebley, Eric Michael Rademacher, Hank L. Kwong, Bang Kim Cao
  • Patent number: 10005448
    Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle includes a controller that initiates a start of the engine in response to a state of charge (SOC) of a battery falling below an engine start threshold, initiates a stop of the engine in response to the SOC exceeding an engine stop threshold, and adjusts a value of the engine start threshold based on whether a load remote from the vehicle is drawing power from the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Najib Mansur, Ahmed Awadi, Mark Douglas Malone, Eric Michael Rademacher, Tuan Anh Be