Patents by Inventor Francis T. Connolly
Francis T. Connolly 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: 9272698Abstract: A hybrid electric automotive powertrain includes an engine start/stop system to improve fuel economy. The stop routine provides for quick restarting to avoid delay in a driver change of mind case. The stop routine may be terminated prior to full engine stop when a torque request is received during the stop routine.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Xiaoyong Wang, Wei Liang, Francis T. Connolly, Ming L. Kuang
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Patent number: 9272697Abstract: Regenerative torque is limited for a hybrid electric powertrain of a vehicle. A transmission controller determined torque limit is validated by a vehicle controller. The vehicle controller validates the torque limit using, individually or in combination, an actual status of a torque converter clutch, a detected status of the torque converter clutch, or a speed of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2014Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Ming L. Kuang, Yanan Zhao, Zhengyu Dai, Francis T. Connolly, Bernard D. Nefcy
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Publication number: 20150283988Abstract: Regenerative torque is limited for a hybrid electric powertrain of a vehicle. A transmission controller determined torque limit is validated by a vehicle controller. The vehicle controller validates the torque limit using, individually or in combination, an actual status of a torque converter clutch, a detected status of the torque converter clutch, or a speed of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2014Publication date: October 8, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Ming L. Kuang, Yanan Zhao, Zhengyu Dai, Francis T. Connolly, Bernard D. Nefcy
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Publication number: 20150258974Abstract: A hybrid electric automotive powertrain includes an engine start/stop system to improve fuel economy. The stop routine provides for quick restarting to avoid delay in a driver change of mind case. The stop routine may be terminated prior to full engine stop when a torque request is received during the stop routine.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: September 17, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Xiaoyong Wang, Wei Liang, Francis T. Connolly, Ming L. Kuang
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Patent number: 8565990Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor/generator, a starter motor, a disconnect clutch disposed between the engine and the motor/generator, and at least one clutch disposed between the motor/generator and the vehicle drive wheels. When an engine start is requested, various parameters are controlled to ensure a smooth engine start wherein driveline torque disturbances are minimized. The starter motor is used to crank the engine upon an engine start request, thereby eliminating the need to transfer torque from the motor/generator to the engine. This helps to further reduce torque disturbances in the driveline when the engine is started.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2009Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC.Inventors: Walter Joseph Ortmann, Daniel Scott Colvin, Brandon R. Masterson, Reid Alan Baldwin, Andrew John Silveri, Francis T. Connolly, Marvin Paul Kraska
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Patent number: 8192324Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor/generator, a starter motor, a disconnect clutch disposed between the engine and the motor/generator, and at least one clutch disposed between the motor/generator and the vehicle drive wheels. When an engine start is requested, various parameters are controlled to ensure a smooth engine start wherein driveline torque disturbances are minimized. The starter motor is used to crank the engine at the lowest engine speeds when the engine-required torque is the highest. This reduces the amount of torque necessary to be supplied from the motor/generator, and further helps to reduce torque disturbances in the driveline. If the motor/generator is producing torque to propel the vehicle at the time the engine start is requested, a launch clutch or one or more transmission clutches can be controlled to provide slip between the motor/generator and the vehicle drive wheels to further reduce torque disturbances in the driveline.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2009Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Marvin Paul Kraska, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Brandon R. Masterson, Daniel Scott Colvin, Francis T. Connolly, Andrew John Silveri
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Publication number: 20110118078Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor/generator, a starter motor, a disconnect clutch disposed between the engine and the motor/generator, and at least one clutch disposed between the motor/generator and the vehicle drive wheels. When an engine start is requested, various parameters are controlled to ensure a smooth engine start wherein driveline torque disturbances are minimized. The starter motor is used to crank the engine at the lowest engine speeds when the engine-required torque is the highest. This reduces the amount of torque necessary to be supplied from the motor/generator, and further helps to reduce torque disturbances in the driveline. If the motor/generator is producing torque to propel the vehicle at the time the engine start is requested, a launch clutch or one or more transmission clutches can be controlled to provide slip between the motor/generator and the vehicle drive wheels to further reduce torque disturbances in the driveline.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2009Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Marvin Paul Kraska, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Brandon R. Masterson, Daniel Scott Colvin, Francis T. Connolly, Andrew John Silveri
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Publication number: 20110118915Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor/generator, a starter motor, a disconnect clutch disposed between the engine and the motor/generator, and at least one clutch disposed between the motor/generator and the vehicle drive wheels. When an engine start is requested, various parameters are controlled to ensure a smooth engine start wherein driveline torque disturbances are minimized. The starter motor is used to crank the engine upon an engine start request, thereby eliminating the need to transfer torque from the motor/generator to the engine. This helps to further reduce torque disturbances in the driveline when the engine is started.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2009Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Walter Joseph Ortmann, Daniel Scott Colvin, Brandon R. Masterson, Reid Alan Baldwin, Andrew John Silveri, Francis T. Connolly, Marvin Paul Kraska
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Patent number: 7801661Abstract: A power boost system and method. An illustrative embodiment of the power boost system includes an operator interface having a system activation button; a vehicle system controller connected to the operator interface; and at least one of an engine system controller, a battery system controller and an accessory system controller connected to the vehicle system controller.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2007Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Ford Global TechnologiesInventors: Brandon Masterson, Steven Schondorf, Scott Gaboury, Francis T. Connolly, William Paul Perkins
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Patent number: 7605561Abstract: A method for controlling charging of a power source of a hybrid vehicle. The method includes determining a maximum output level of a primary power source, determining a state of charge of a secondary power source, determining a charge torque modifier value based on the maximum output torque level and the state of charge, determining a target torque level for an electrical machine based on the charge torque modifier value, and driving the electrical machine at the target torque level with the primary power source to charge the secondary power source.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2004Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark Yamazaki, John Blankenship, Francis T. Connolly
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Publication number: 20080306670Abstract: A power boost system and method. An illustrative embodiment of the power boost system includes an operator interface having a system activation button; a vehicle system controller connected to the operator interface; and at least one of an engine system controller, a battery system controller and an accessory system controller connected to the vehicle system controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2007Publication date: December 11, 2008Inventors: Brandon Masterson, Steven Schondorf, Scott Gaboury, Francis T. Connolly, William Paul Perkins