Patents by Inventor Erick Lavoie

Erick Lavoie 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).

  • Brake pressure apply
    Patent number: 8602508
    Abstract: A method for brake pressure apply in a hydraulic brake system includes commanding a cage clearance reduction phase and commanding a wheel control phase subsequent to the cage clearance reduction phase. Accordingly, the cage clearance is reduced prior to entering the wheel control phase. A method for cage clearance reduction in a hydraulic brake system for roll stability control is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Erick Lavoie, Thomas Salmon, Keith Mattson
  • Velocity sensitive passenger vehicle trailer brake controller
    Patent number: 8511759
    Abstract: A method of controlling a trailer brake system using a trailer brake controller positioned within a passenger vehicle is provided. The method includes obtaining intended braking inputs and developing an effective baseline trailer brake controller output profile based thereon. The method scales the effective baseline trailer brake controller output profile in response to an adjustable gain setting set by an operator. A vehicle velocity is obtained and used to calculate a correction factor to the effective baseline trailer brake controller output profile. The effective baseline trailer brake controller output profile is then adjusted using the correction factor to generate a corrected trailer brake controller output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Doug Marsden, Kirk Englert, Erick Lavoie
  • Power on demand steering wheel angle sensor
    Patent number: 8396628
    Abstract: A power on-demand steering angle sensor coupled to a steering wheel and a controller comprising a switch, coupled to the sensor and the controller. The switch is activated upon motion of the steering wheel or steering shaft. The switch, when closed, connects a power supply, such as a vehicle battery, to the sensor and the controller so that a new steering angle may be sensed and stored. After a predetermined period of time, the controller sends a signal to open the switch and disconnect the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Erick Lavoie, Brad Hochrein
  • POWER ON DEMAND STEERING WHEEL ANGLE SENSOR
    Publication number: 20110190982
    Abstract: A power on-demand steering angle sensor coupled to a steering wheel and a controller comprising a switch, coupled to the sensor and the controller. The switch is activated upon motion of the steering wheel or steering shaft. The switch, when closed, connects a power supply, such as a vehicle battery, to the sensor and the controller so that a new steering angle may be sensed and stored. After a predetermined period of time, the controller sends a signal to open the switch and disconnect the power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Erick Lavoie, Brad Hochrein
  • BRAKE PRESSURE APPLY
    Publication number: 20080001477
    Abstract: A method for brake pressure apply in a hydraulic brake system includes commanding a cage clearance reduction phase and commanding a wheel control phase subsequent to the cage clearance reduction phase. Accordingly, the cage clearance is reduced prior to entering the wheel control phase. A method for cage clearance reduction in a hydraulic brake system for roll stability control is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Lavoie, Thomas A. Salmon, Keith Mattson
  • VELOCITY SENSITIVE PASSENGER VEHICLE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER
    Publication number: 20070024107
    Abstract: A method of controlling a trailer brake system using a trailer brake controller positioned within a passenger vehicle is provided. The method includes obtaining intended braking inputs and developing an effective baseline trailer brake controller output profile based thereon. The method scales the effective baseline trailer brake controller output profile in response to an adjustable gain setting set by an operator. A vehicle velocity is obtained and used to calculate a correction factor to the effective baseline trailer brake controller output profile. The effective baseline trailer brake controller output profile is then adjusted using the correction factor to generate a corrected trailer brake controller output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Doug Marsden, Kirk Englert, Erick Lavoie