Patents by Inventor Joseph D. Hillegass

Joseph D. Hillegass 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: 11745741
    Abstract: A method detects unintended acceleration of a motor vehicle during a closed-loop speed control mode by determining external forces on the vehicle via a controller, and then calculating a desired acceleration using a measured vehicle speed and the external forces. The method includes determining an actual acceleration of the vehicle, including filtering a speed signal as a first actual acceleration value and/or measuring a second actual acceleration value using an inertial measurement unit (IMU). During the speed control mode, the method includes calculating an acceleration delta value as a difference between the desired acceleration and the actual acceleration, and then using the acceleration delta value to detect the unintended acceleration during the speed control mode. A powertrain system for the motor vehicle, e.g., an electric vehicle, includes the controller and one or more torque generating devices coupled to road wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jacob M. Knueven, Jason C. Jousma, Paul G. Otanez, Aubrey W. Downs, Jr., Joseph D. Hillegass, Abdoulaye T. Diallo
  • Publication number: 20220297691
    Abstract: A method detects unintended acceleration of a motor vehicle during a closed-loop speed control mode by determining external forces on the vehicle via a controller, and then calculating a desired acceleration using a measured vehicle speed and the external forces. The method includes determining an actual acceleration of the vehicle, including filtering a speed signal as a first actual acceleration value and/or measuring a second actual acceleration value using an inertial measurement unit (IMU). During the speed control mode, the method includes calculating an acceleration delta value as a difference between the desired acceleration and the actual acceleration, and then using the acceleration delta value to detect the unintended acceleration during the speed control mode. A powertrain system for the motor vehicle, e.g., an electric vehicle, includes the controller and one or more torque generating devices coupled to road wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jacob M. Knueven, Jason C. Jousma, Paul G. Otanez, Aubrey W. Downs, JR., Joseph D. Hillegass, Abdoulaye T. Diallo