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).

  • Patent number: 9272698
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoyong Wang, Wei Liang, Francis T. Connolly, Ming L. Kuang
  • Patent number: 9272697
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ming L. Kuang, Yanan Zhao, Zhengyu Dai, Francis T. Connolly, Bernard D. Nefcy
  • Publication number: 20150283988
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Ming L. Kuang, Yanan Zhao, Zhengyu Dai, Francis T. Connolly, Bernard D. Nefcy
  • Publication number: 20150258974
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoyong Wang, Wei Liang, Francis T. Connolly, Ming L. Kuang
  • Patent number: 8565990
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 8192324
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marvin Paul Kraska, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Brandon R. Masterson, Daniel Scott Colvin, Francis T. Connolly, Andrew John Silveri
  • Publication number: 20110118078
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Marvin Paul Kraska, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Brandon R. Masterson, Daniel Scott Colvin, Francis T. Connolly, Andrew John Silveri
  • Publication number: 20110118915
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: 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
  • Patent number: 7801661
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Brandon Masterson, Steven Schondorf, Scott Gaboury, Francis T. Connolly, William Paul Perkins
  • Patent number: 7605561
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Yamazaki, John Blankenship, Francis T. Connolly
  • Publication number: 20080306670
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Brandon Masterson, Steven Schondorf, Scott Gaboury, Francis T. Connolly, William Paul Perkins