Patents by Inventor Glenn W. Hoefflin

Glenn W. Hoefflin 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: 10132373
    Abstract: A method for detecting and mitigating excessive clutch disc wear for a manual transmission includes determining if a clutch pedal position is depressed greater than or equal to a first predetermined pedal position threshold and if the vehicle speed is less than or equal to a predetermined vehicle speed threshold. The method further includes determining if the clutch pedal position is depressed greater than or equal to a second predetermined pedal position threshold when the clutch pedal position is depressed less than the first predetermined pedal position threshold. The method still further includes calculating a clutch disc heat flux value and a clutch disc surface temperature. The method further includes displaying an alert/warning and a remedial action message to a vehicle operator when the clutch disc surface temperature is greater than or equal to a predetermined surface temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Inventors: William L. Cousins, Glenn W. Hoefflin, David Howe, Michael Partridge, Binu Jose Kochucheruvil
  • Patent number: 10005467
    Abstract: A method of controlling a dual clutch transmission (DCT) for a vehicle includes steps to reduce objectionable noise present during particular driving conditions and when the vehicle is operated using certain driving habits. A DCT engages at least two gear ratios at a time; one gear ratio for the current desired gear and a second gear ratio for the next likely gear. The method detects when conditions are favorable for the objectionable noise and takes action to remove the cause of the objectionable noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jayson S. Schwalm, Glenn W. Hoefflin, Daniel J. Wickman, John William Boughner
  • Publication number: 20180057010
    Abstract: A method of controlling a dual clutch transmission (DCT) for a vehicle includes steps to reduce objectionable noise present during particular driving conditions and when the vehicle is operated using certain driving habits. A DCT engages at least two gear ratios at a time; one gear ratio for the current desired gear and a second gear ratio for the next likely gear. The method detects when conditions are favorable for the objectionable noise and takes action to remove the cause of the objectionable noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Jayson S. Schwalm, Glenn W. Hoefflin, Daniel J. Wickman, John William Boughner
  • Publication number: 20180031063
    Abstract: A method for detecting and mitigating excessive clutch disc wear for a manual transmission includes determining if a clutch pedal position is depressed greater than or equal to a first predetermined pedal position threshold and if the vehicle speed is less than or equal to a predetermined vehicle speed threshold. The method further includes determining if the clutch pedal position is depressed greater than or equal to a second predetermined pedal position threshold when the clutch pedal position is depressed less than the first predetermined pedal position threshold. The method still further includes calculating a clutch disc heat flux value and a clutch disc surface temperature. The method further includes displaying an alert/warning and a remedial action message to a vehicle operator when the clutch disc surface temperature is greater than or equal to a predetermined surface temperature threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: William L. Cousins, Glenn W. Hoefflin, David Howe, Michael Partridge, Binu Jose Kochucheruvil
  • Patent number: 9605755
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling movement of an actuator fork of a transmission through a pre-synchronization phase of a synchronization event at a pre-synchronization fork velocity includes adjusting the level of fluid pressure applied to an actuator operatively attached to the actuator fork to control the pre-synchronization fork velocity within a predetermined range of a velocity target. The method determines, via a controller, the fork velocity during the pre-synchronization phase of a current synchronization event, compares the determined fork velocity to a velocity target, and adjusts the pressure level of fluid applied to an actuator piston of the actuator to control the velocity of the actuator fork within a predetermined range defined by the velocity target during a subsequent pre-synchronization phase. The velocity target may be defined for a shift type, such as a fast or slow shift, where the shift type is determined by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Glenn W. Hoefflin, Minh Q. Truong, Christopher Jay Weingartz
  • Patent number: 9404572
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission having a position-controlled clutch with a synchronizer sleeve and a synchronizer fork, an input member with an input speed, and an output member with an output speed, and a controller. The controller is programmed to register a slip-away condition when the input speed falls within a calibrated speed band and the output speed remains below a calibrated threshold speed. In response to the registered slip-away condition, the controller records a diagnostic code indicative of the synchronizer sleeve being disengaged, changes an engaged position of the synchronizer sleeve by a calibrated amount to thereby adapt the engaged position, and commands the clutch to disengage and the fork to move to a neutral position after increasing the engaged position. The controller also moves the synchronizer sleeve toward the adapted engaged position and applies the clutch when the synchronizer sleeve attains the adapted engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Jay Weingartz, Colin Hultengren, Glenn W. Hoefflin
  • Patent number: 9360109
    Abstract: A method of controlling movement of an actuator fork and attached synchronizer sleeve of a transmission through a pre-synchronization phase of a synchronization event at a pre-synchronization fork velocity below a breakaway velocity such that a strut is retained to the sleeve by a ball plunger for the duration of the pre-synchronization phase. A method of adjusting one of a pressure signal and a flow signal to an actuator piston to control movement of the actuator fork includes moving the fork from an initial disengaged position through a pre-synchronization phase of a synchronization event by controlling one of a pre-synchronization fluid pressure value and flow value, where the controlled pre-synchronization fluid value is less than a threshold value corresponding to a breakaway force of a ball plunger configured to selectively retain a strut assembly to a synchronizer sleeve operatively attached to the actuator fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Jay Weingartz, Glenn W. Hoefflin
  • Publication number: 20160146341
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling movement of an actuator fork of a transmission through a pre-synchronization phase of a synchronization event at a pre-synchronization fork velocity includes adjusting the level of fluid pressure applied to an actuator operatively attached to the actuator fork to control the pre-synchronization fork velocity within a predetermined range of a velocity target. The method determines, via a controller, the fork velocity during the pre-synchronization phase of a current synchronization event, compares the determined fork velocity to a velocity target, and adjusts the pressure level of fluid applied to an actuator piston of the actuator to control the velocity of the actuator fork within a predetermined range defined by the velocity target during a subsequent pre-synchronization phase. The velocity target may be defined for a shift type, such as a fast or slow shift, where the shift type is determined by the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Glenn W. Hoefflin, Minh Q. Truong, Christopher Jay Weingartz
  • Publication number: 20150300485
    Abstract: A method of controlling movement of an actuator fork and attached synchronizer sleeve of a transmission through a pre-synchronization phase of a synchronization event at a pre-synchronization fork velocity below a breakaway velocity such that a strut is retained to the sleeve by a ball plunger for the duration of the pre-synchronization phase. A method of adjusting one of a pressure signal and a flow signal to an actuator piston to control movement of the actuator fork includes moving the fork from an initial disengaged position through a pre-synchronization phase of a synchronization event by controlling one of a pre-synchronization fluid pressure value and flow value, where the controlled pre-synchronization fluid value is less than a threshold value corresponding to a breakaway force of a ball plunger configured to selectively retain a strut assembly to a synchronizer sleeve operatively attached to the actuator fork.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Jay Weingartz, Glenn W. Hoefflin