Patents by Inventor James B Nicholson
James B Nicholson 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: 10464547Abstract: A vehicle includes drive wheels, an energy source having an available energy, a torque-generating device powered by the energy source to provide an input torque, a transmission configured to receive the input torque and deliver an output torque to the set of drive wheels, and a controller. The controller, as part of a programmed method, predicts consumption of the available energy along a predetermined travel route using onboard data, offboard data, and a first logic block, and also corrects the predicted energy consumption using the onboard data, offboard data, and an error correction loop between a second logic block and the first logic block. The controller also executes a control action with respect to the vehicle using the corrected energy consumption, including changing a logic state of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: David S. Park, Kevin J. Smith, Terence L. Meehan, Todd P. Lindemann, Richard B. Weinberg, James B. Nicholson, Chia-Hsiang Liu, Andrew M. Zettel, Ramon A. Alonso
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Publication number: 20190016329Abstract: A vehicle includes drive wheels, an energy source having an available energy, a torque-generating device powered by the energy source to provide an input torque, a transmission configured to receive the input torque and deliver an output torque to the set of drive wheels, and a controller. The controller, as part of a programmed method, predicts consumption of the available energy along a predetermined travel route using onboard data, offboard data, and a first logic block, and also corrects the predicted energy consumption using the onboard data, offboard data, and an error correction loop between a second logic block and the first logic block. The controller also executes a control action with respect to the vehicle using the corrected energy consumption, including changing a logic state of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2017Publication date: January 17, 2019Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: David S. Park, Kevin J. Smith, Terence L. Meehan, Todd P. Lindemann, Richard B. Weinberg, James B. Nicholson, Chia-Hsiang Liu, Andrew M. Zettel, Ramon A. Alonso
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Patent number: 8838316Abstract: A method of warming a catalyst of an exhaust gas treatment system of a hybrid vehicle includes transitioning a rotational speed of an engine to within a pre-defined speed range with an electric motor, and reducing an engine manifold pressure to within a pre-defined pressure range. The engine is fueled after the rotational speed of the engine is within the pre-defined speed range, and the engine manifold pressure is within the pre-defined pressure range. While the engine is being fueled, the engine manifold pressure is increased to within a catalyst light-off pressure range, and the torque output of the engine is increased to within a catalyst light-off operating torque range. The exhaust gas produced from the operation of the engine within the pre-defined speed range, within the catalyst light-off pressure range, and within the catalyst light-off operating torque range heats the catalyst while minimizing emissions.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Jeffrey M. Hutmacher, J Michael Ellenberger, James B. Nicholson, Rafat F Hattar
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Publication number: 20140100728Abstract: A method of warming a catalyst of an exhaust gas treatment system of a hybrid vehicle includes transitioning a rotational speed of an engine to within a pre-defined speed range with an electric motor, and reducing an engine manifold pressure to within a pre-defined pressure range. The engine is fueled after the rotational speed of the engine is within the pre-defined speed range, and the engine manifold pressure is within the pre-defined pressure range. While the engine is being fueled, the engine manifold pressure is increased to within a catalyst light-off pressure range, and the torque output of the engine is increased to within a catalyst light-off operating torque range. The exhaust gas produced from the operation of the engine within the pre-defined speed range, within the catalyst light-off pressure range, and within the catalyst light-off operating torque range heats the catalyst while minimizing emissions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2012Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Jeffrey M. Hutmacher, J. Michael Ellenberger, James B. Nicholson, Rafat F. Hattar
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Patent number: 8290691Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing the cycling frequency between engine on/off states in a vehicle having a controller and auto start/auto stop functionality. The method includes detecting an engine state cycling event, measuring a plurality of vehicle operating values, and using the controller to optimize the cycling frequency via at least one of: automatically adjusting an interval between an auto start event and an auto stop event when each of a first set of the vehicle operating values exceeds a corresponding threshold, and temporarily inhibiting the auto start/auto stop functionality when any value in a second set of the vehicle operating values falls outside of a hysteresis band created around the second set. A vehicle includes an engine and a controller having an algorithm for optimizing the cycling frequency between engine on/off states as set forth above.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Chihang Lin, Allen J. Lehmen, James B. Nicholson, Kevin J. Smith
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Patent number: 8214095Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid powertrain system includes commanding engine operation to transition from an engine-off state to an engine-on state. A control scheme detects engine firing based upon input speed, input torque and a change in the input torque.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2009Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Allen J. Lehmen, Kevin J. Smith, James B. Nicholson
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Patent number: 8157035Abstract: A method of operating an engine control system includes reducing pressures within cylinders of an engine based on an auto start command signal including: receiving a torque request signal; calculating a powertrain output torque; and controlling air flow to the engine based on the powertrain output torque. During a startup of the engine: electric motor torque is increased to a predetermined level and reduced to increase a current speed of the engine; combustion torque of the engine is activated and increased after the current speed is within a predetermined range and a manifold absolute pressure is less than a predetermined level; and the electric motor torque is increased based on a crankshaft output torque signal to increase a crankshaft output torque subsequent to the reducing of the electric motor torque and while performing the activating of the combustion torque.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2009Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Steven G. Bryde, R. Travis Schwenke, John L. Lahti, Ning Jin, Birendra P. Bhattarai, Cheryl A. Williams, James B Nicholson
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Publication number: 20110066359Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing the cycling frequency between engine on/off states in a vehicle having a controller and auto start/auto stop functionality. The method includes detecting an engine state cycling event, measuring a plurality of vehicle operating values, and using the controller to optimize the cycling frequency via at least one of: automatically adjusting an interval between an auto start event and an auto stop event when each of a first set of the vehicle operating values exceeds a corresponding threshold, and temporarily inhibiting the auto start/auto stop functionality when any value in a second set of the vehicle operating values falls outside of a hysteresis band created around the second set. A vehicle includes an engine and a controller having an algorithm for optimizing the cycling frequency between engine on/off states as set forth above.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2009Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Chihang Lin, Allen J. Lehmen, James B. Nicholson, Kevin J. Smith
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Publication number: 20100305800Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid powertrain system includes commanding engine operation to transition from an engine-off state to an engine-on state. A control scheme detects engine firing based upon input speed, input torque and a change in the input torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2009Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Allen J. Lehmen, Kevin J. Smith, James B. Nicholson
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Publication number: 20100038158Abstract: A control system for an engine includes an engine control module (ECM) that operates in a first mode and a second mode. The ECM generates an idle speed signal and a transmission load signal that is based on an idle speed of the engine. The hybrid control module (HCM) increases electric motor torque to increase a current speed of the engine based on the idle speed signal and the transmission load signal. The HCM controls the current speed when in the first mode. The ECM controls the current speed when in the second mode. The HCM transfers control of the current speed to the ECM when at least one of the current speed matches the idle speed and a combustion torque output of the engine is equal to a requested crankshaft output torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Steven G. Bryde, R. Travis Schwenke, John L. Lahti, Ning Jin, Birendra P. Bhattarai, Cheryl A. Williams, James B Nicholson