Patents by Inventor Jesse D. L. Brunais

Jesse D. L. Brunais 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: 11932254
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission, and a controller. The engine is configured to generate power. The transmission is configured to transfer power from the engine to at least one drive wheel to propel the vehicle. The controller is programmed to, in response to a command to shift the transmission and a corresponding command to decrease a torque of the engine to less than a threshold corresponding to a spark retard limit during the shift, (i) increase the pressure of an oncoming clutch to engage the oncoming clutch, (ii) retard an engine spark at the spark retard limit to reduce the torque of the engine to the threshold during the engagement of the oncoming clutch, and (iii) shutdown at least one cylinder of the engine to further reduce the torque of the engine to less than the threshold during the engagement of the oncoming clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Cory Benson LaRoche, Stephen Michael Cicala, Jianping Zhang, Bradley Dean Riedle, Jesse D. L. Brunais, Michael Simon, Leonard Dziubinschi
  • Publication number: 20190077344
    Abstract: A power supply system for an electrified vehicle may include a primary power source and an auxiliary power source configured to selectively supply power in place of or in addition to the primary power source. At least one electrical connector is configured to connect the auxiliary power source to the power supply system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Jesse D.L. BRUNAIS, Douglas Raymond MARTIN
  • Patent number: 10160410
    Abstract: A power supply system for an electrified vehicle according to an exemplar aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a primary power source and an auxiliary power source configured to selectively supply power in place of or in addition to the primary power source. At least one electrical connector is configured to connect the auxiliary power source to the power supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jesse D. L. Brunais, Douglas Raymond Martin
  • Patent number: 9221453
    Abstract: A controller, in response to a change from a first steady pedal condition to a second steady pedal condition, decreases a torque command during the second steady pedal condition based on a difference between a peak torque command achieved during the change and a steady torque command corresponding to the first steady pedal condition. The controller also operates a powertrain to satisfy the torque command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Jesse D. L. Brunais
  • Publication number: 20150251647
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a powertrain in a vehicle includes the step of reducing or otherwise modifying a response of the powertrain to accelerator pedal input from a standard powertrain response under certain circumstances, for example, when a position of the accelerator pedal is within a predetermined range and operation of the vehicle meets at least one criteria, including at least one criteria indicative of steady state powertrain operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Scott GEE, Douglas Raymond MARTIN, Jesse D.L. BRUNAIS, Peter Douglas KUECHLER
  • Publication number: 20150224975
    Abstract: A controller, in response to a change from a first steady pedal condition to a second steady pedal condition, decreases a torque command during the second steady pedal condition based on a difference between a peak torque command achieved during the change and a steady torque command corresponding to the first steady pedal condition. The controller also operates a powertrain to satisfy the torque command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Jesse D.L. Brunais
  • Publication number: 20150015065
    Abstract: A power supply system for an electrified vehicle according to an exemplar aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a primary power source and an auxiliary power source configured to selectively supply power in place of or in addition to the primary power source. At least one electrical connector is configured to connect the auxiliary power source to the power supply system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Jesse D.L. Brunais, Douglas Raymond Martin
  • Patent number: 8326479
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method of controlling an engine fuel pump in a hybrid-electric vehicle. The method includes: cycling a vehicle powertrain between an electric mode, where an engine is commanded off, and a mechanical mode, where the engine is commanded on; depowering an engine fuel pump when the engine is commanded off; and determining if the engine is operating in a fuel shut-off mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Jesse D. L. Brunais, Kenneth L. Pifher, Mike Paul Lindlbauer
  • Publication number: 20120136520
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of controlling an engine fuel pump in a hybrid-electric vehicle. The method includes: cycling a vehicle powertrain between an electric mode, where an engine is commanded off, and a mechanical mode, where the engine is commanded on; and depowering an engine fuel pump when the engine is commanded off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Jesse D.L. Brunais, Kenneth L. Pither, Mike Paul Lindlbauer