Patents by Inventor Kenneth Frederick

Kenneth Frederick 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: 12168434
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, and a controller. The engine and the electric machine are configured to simultaneously generate power in a hybrid mode. The controller is programmed to, responsive to a power demand decreasing to less than a first threshold while the vehicle is operating in the hybrid mode, shutdown the engine. The controller is further programmed to, responsive to the power demand decreasing to less than the first threshold and an operator input to extend the hybrid mode, override shutting down the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Kava, Kenneth Frederick, Floyd Cadwell, Justin Reuel Badger
  • Patent number: 11092049
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a spark ignition engine that includes a particulate filter in the engine's exhaust system are described. In one example, the spark ignition engine is prevented from exceeding a threshold engine load when the engine is supplying power to an electric machine so that engine emissions may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Justin Badger, Kenneth Frederick, Robert Hurley
  • Patent number: 10969011
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission having an electric machine, a park ring fixedly coupled to the electric machine, and a parking pawl engageable with the park ring to hold the park ring stationary when the transmission is in PARK. A vehicle is programmed to, responsive to a request to shift from PARK, command disengagement of the parking pawl and concurrently command a torque to the electric machine to counteract driveline torque on the park ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Frederick, Robert Hurley
  • Publication number: 20210053551
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, and a controller. The engine and the electric machine are configured to simultaneously generate power in a hybrid mode. The controller is programmed to, responsive to a power demand decreasing to less than a first threshold while the vehicle is operating in the hybrid mode, shutdown the engine. The controller is further programmed to, responsive to the power demand decreasing to less than the first threshold and an operator input to extend the hybrid mode, override shutting down the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Kava, Kenneth Frederick, Floyd Cadwell, Justin Reuel Badger
  • Patent number: 10876511
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a spark ignition engine that includes a particulate filter in the engine's exhaust system are described. In one example, a threshold temperature at which the spark ignition engine may be automatically stopped is adjusted according to an amount of soot that is stored in the particulate filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Justin Badger, Kenneth Frederick, Robert Hurley
  • Patent number: 10857991
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, and a controller. The engine and the electric machine are each configured to generate power. The controller is programmed to, responsive to a power demand exceeding a first threshold while the electric machine is generating power alone, start the engine. The controller is further programmed to, responsive to the power demand exceeding the first threshold and an operator input to suppress an engine startup, override starting the engine for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Kava, Kenneth Frederick, Floyd Cadwell, Justin Reuel Badger
  • Publication number: 20200340580
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission having an electric machine, a park ring fixedly coupled to the electric machine, and a parking pawl engageable with the park ring to hold the park ring stationary when the transmission is in PARK. A vehicle is programmed to, responsive to a request to shift from PARK, command disengagement of the parking pawl and concurrently command a torque to the electric machine to counteract driveline torque on the park ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Kenneth FREDERICK, Robert HURLEY
  • Publication number: 20200300208
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a spark ignition engine that includes a particulate filter in the engine's exhaust system are described. In one example, a threshold temperature at which the spark ignition engine may be automatically stopped is adjusted according to an amount of soot that is stored in the particulate filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Justin Badger, Kenneth Frederick, Robert Hurley
  • Publication number: 20200271028
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a spark ignition engine that includes a particulate filter in the engine's exhaust system are described. In one example, the spark ignition engine is prevented from exceeding a threshold engine load when the engine is supplying power to an electric machine so that engine emissions may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Justin Badger, Kenneth Frederick, Robert Hurley
  • Patent number: 10746150
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a spark ignition engine that includes a particulate filter in the engine's exhaust system are described. In one example, a threshold temperature at which the spark ignition engine may be automatically stopped is adjusted according to an amount of soot that is stored in the particulate filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Justin Badger, Kenneth Frederick, Robert Hurley
  • Publication number: 20200200136
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a spark ignition engine that includes a particulate filter in the engine's exhaust system are described. In one example, a threshold temperature at which the spark ignition engine may be automatically stopped is adjusted according to an amount of soot that is stored in the particulate filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Justin Badger, Kenneth Frederick, Robert Hurley
  • Patent number: 10632996
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enhancing reverse driving torque in a powersplit hybrid electric vehicle powertrain. In one example, a method may include accelerating an engine via a generator functioning as a motor, any number of times, to provide an engine braking torque that may increase a reverse driving torque to enable the vehicle to be propelled in reverse at a vehicle speed above a threshold vehicle speed. In this way, reverse gradability may be improved and customer satisfaction increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Lechlitner, Kenneth Frederick, Floyd Cadwell
  • Patent number: 10569763
    Abstract: A hybrid electric power-split vehicle, equipped with a continuously variable transmission coupling an electric motor/generator (EM) with a combustion engine (CE), includes systems and methods that reduce possible resonant noise and vibration during CE startup, by improved EM control, to generate compensating EM torque to counter act such possible resonant noise and vibration. The systems and methods include predetermined baseline CE operating condition (OC) cranking torque profiles stored as OC grids (SOCGs). A start profile is generated from selected cranking torque SOCGs, and also from selected historical start OCGs (HOCGs) of prior engine and/or CE starts, which include prior start noise and vibration metrics along with prior start OCs and related parameters. The start profile is calibrated using a blend factor that is generated from comparisons of SOCGs, and utilized to generate a feed-forward torque signal that adjusts EM torque to reduce the startup noise and vibration resonances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yu Liu, Floyd Cadwell, Kenneth Frederick, Xiaoyong Wang
  • Publication number: 20190276001
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, and a controller. The engine and the electric machine are each configured to generate power. The controller is programmed to, responsive to a power demand exceeding a first threshold while the electric machine is generating power alone, start the engine. The controller is further programmed to, responsive to the power demand exceeding the first threshold and an operator input to suppress an engine startup, override starting the engine for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Michael KAVA, Kenneth FREDERICK, Floyd CADWELL, Justin Reuel BADGER
  • Publication number: 20190031178
    Abstract: A hybrid electric power-split vehicle, equipped with a continuously variable transmission coupling an electric motor/generator (EM) with a combustion engine (CE), includes systems and methods that reduce possible resonant noise and vibration during CE startup, by improved EM control, to generate compensating EM torque to counter act such possible resonant noise and vibration. The systems and methods include predetermined baseline CE operating condition (OC) cranking torque profiles stored as OC grids (SOCGs). A start profile is generated from selected cranking torque SOCGs, and also from selected historical start OCGs (HOCGs) of prior engine and/or CE starts, which include prior start noise and vibration metrics along with prior start OCs and related parameters. The start profile is calibrated using a blend factor that is generated from comparisons of SOCGs, and utilized to generate a feed-forward torque signal that adjusts EM torque to reduce the startup noise and vibration resonances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Yu LIU, Floyd CADWELL, Kenneth FREDERICK, Xiaoyong WANG
  • Publication number: 20180326988
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enhancing reverse driving torque in a powersplit hybrid electric vehicle powertrain. In one example, a method may include accelerating an engine via a generator functioning as a motor, any number of times, to provide an engine braking torque that may increase a reverse driving torque to enable the vehicle to be propelled in reverse at a vehicle speed above a threshold vehicle speed. In this way, reverse gradability may be improved and customer satisfaction increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Craig Lechlitner, Kenneth Frederick, Floyd Cadwell
  • Patent number: 10093304
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle includes controlling a vehicle according to a first mode in response to a calculated likelihood exceeding a threshold likelihood, and controlling the vehicle according to a second mode otherwise. The calculated likelihood corresponds to the likelihood that the vehicle is within a threshold distance of a current drive cycle final destination. The calculated likelihood is derived from geolocation data collected from geolocation systems in at least one vehicle across a plurality of vehicle drive cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jimmy Kapadia, Kenneth James Miller, Kenneth Frederick
  • Patent number: 9932914
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine configured to provide power to traction wheels, and a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to the engine being off and a power request exceeding an engine-start threshold, delay an engine start when vehicle speed is below a predetermined value. Delaying an engine start may include providing an engine-start-threshold offset. The offset decreases as vehicle speed increases. The engine is started when the power request exceeds a sum of the engine-start threshold and the engine-start-threshold offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohamad Mansour, Shunsuke Okubo, Carol Louise Okubo, Paul Stephen Bryan, Kenneth Frederick, Floyd Cadwell
  • Patent number: 9789873
    Abstract: A vehicle coasting control system for a vehicle having a prime mover includes an accelerator pedal positional throughout an accelerator pedal position range; a vehicle controller interfacing with the accelerator pedal, the vehicle controller adapted to control operating speeds of the prime mover of the vehicle corresponding to positions, respectively, of the accelerator pedal within the accelerator pedal position range; and the vehicle controller is adapted to operate the prime mover at idle when the accelerator pedal is positioned at a coast zone within the accelerator pedal position range. A vehicle coasting control method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Scott Crombez, Ryan J. Skaff, Kenneth Frederick
  • Publication number: 20170072937
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle includes controlling a vehicle according to a first mode in response to a calculated likelihood exceeding a threshold likelihood, and controlling the vehicle according to a second mode otherwise. The calculated likelihood corresponds to the likelihood that the vehicle is within a threshold distance of a current drive cycle final destination. The calculated likelihood is derived from geolocation data collected from geolocation systems in at least one vehicle across a plurality of vehicle drive cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Jimmy Kapadia, Kenneth James Miller, Kenneth Frederick