Patents by Inventor Kendrick Morrison

Kendrick Morrison 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).

  • Publication number: 20180118217
    Abstract: A controller commands an engine torque level in response to a driver demanded torque based on an accelerator pedal position. If the driver demanded torque decreases rapidly during or just prior to a torque phase of a shift, the controller commands the engine to temporarily generate torque exceeding the driver demand. The controller sets a nominal engine torque equal to the driver demand torque before the rapid decrease, slowly decreases the nominal engine torque during the torque phase, and decreases the nominal torque at progressively faster rates during the inertia phase to bring the nominal torque back into agreement with the driver demanded torque. The commanded engine torque is based on the nominal torque, but may be less than the nominal torque during the inertia phase to permit the engine speed to decrease faster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Cory Benson LaRoche, Bradley Dean Riedle, Jianping Zhang, Kendrick Morrison, Kenneth Edward Sovel
  • Patent number: 9353853
    Abstract: A transmission includes a latch valve with latched and de-latched states. In the de-latched state, the latch valve directs a control pressure to a clutch apply circuit. In the latched state, which is entered in response to a control pressure higher than a latch pressure, the latch valve directs a line pressure to the clutch apply circuit. A controller manages the transition from latched to de-latched differently depending upon the transmission input torque and gear state. At high transmission input torque, the controller first reduces the control pressure to rapidly accelerate a spool in the latch valve, and then increases the control pressure to prevent clutch slip. At low torque, the controller reduced the pressure to an intermediate value during the transition and then reduces it again. At moderate torques, the controller reduces the pressure directly to a target pressure in a single step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Phillip McDonnell, Kendrick Morrison, Cory LaRoche, Derek Kinch, John Armstead, Brian Michael O'Neil, Pramod Kumar Jain
  • Publication number: 20160097448
    Abstract: A transmission includes a latch valve with latched and de-latched states. In the de-latched state, the latch valve directs a control pressure to a clutch apply circuit. In the latched state, which is entered in response to a control pressure higher than a latch pressure, the latch valve directs a line pressure to the clutch apply circuit. A controller manages the transition from latched to de-latched differently depending upon the transmission input torque and gear state. At high transmission input torque, the controller first reduces the control pressure to rapidly accelerate a spool in the latch valve, and then increases the control pressure to prevent clutch slip. At low torque, the controller reduced the pressure to an intermediate value during the transition and then reduces it again. At moderate torques, the controller reduces the pressure directly to a target pressure in a single step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Alexander Phillip McDonnell, Kendrick Morrison, Cory LaRoche, Derek Kinch, John Armstead, Brian Michael O'Neil, Pramod Kumar Jain
  • Publication number: 20150307101
    Abstract: When a vehicle driver commands a change in direction of motion while the vehicle is moving above a threshold speed, a controller first applies a braking force to slow the vehicle below the threshold speed and then establishes a power flow path associated with the opposite direction of motion. The braking force may be applied by wheel brakes or, in some situations, by a transmission clutch. This method prevents an engine stall, overheating of oncoming clutch, and excessive delay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: SCOTT PATRICK RIES, KENDRICK MORRISON
  • Publication number: 20150217733
    Abstract: While a transmission range selector is in a Park position, a controller engages multiple transmission shift elements to place the transmission in a tie-up state. In the tie-up state, both the transmission output shaft and the turbine shaft are held against rotation by the shift elements. To transition from Park to Drive, the controller releases one of the shift elements to place the transmission in a 1st gear state. To transition from Park to Reverse, the controller releases a different one of the shift elements to place the transmission in a reverse state. The controller may wait until the driver releases the brake pedal to release the shift element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Patrick Ries, Kendrick Morrison