Patents by Inventor Kenneth James Miller

Kenneth James Miller 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).

  • AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE CONTROL TRANSITIONING
    Publication number: 20170247040
    Abstract: Signals are received from a plurality of sources, representing operating characteristics of a vehicle and an environment surrounding the vehicle. A plurality of operational factors are developed based on the signals. The vehicle is controlled according to one of at least three levels of control, including an autonomous, a semi-autonomous, and a manual level of control, based on the operational factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, William Paul Perkins, David B. Kelley
  • AUTONOMOUS PERIL CONTROL
    Publication number: 20170248953
    Abstract: At least one object having a risk of collision with the vehicle is detected. Levels of autonomous control are transitioned in response to detection of a potential collision based at least in part on an autonomous peril factor which includes a probability of collision and a magnitude of possible damage in the event of a collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David B. Kelley, Kenneth James Miller, William Paul Perkins
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REDUCING ENGINE EXHAUST EMISSIONS
    Publication number: 20170248055
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for addressing engine cold-start emissions while an exhaust catalyst is activated. In one example, a method for improving exhaust emissions may include flowing ionized air into an engine exhaust, downstream of an exhaust catalyst, to oxidize exhaust emissions left untreated by the catalyst. The approach reduces the PM load of the exhaust as well as of a downstream particulate matter filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, John Eric Rollinger
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TORQUE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20170241357
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting air-fuel ratio imbalances across all engine cylinders. In one example, a method (or system) may include indicating cylinder imbalance based on each of the exhaust air-fuel ratio, exhaust manifold pressure, and cylinder torque weighted by a confidence factor, where in the confidence factor is determined based on operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller, John Eric Rollinger
  • METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING HYBRID VEHICLE EFFICIENCY
    Publication number: 20170225672
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hybrid powertrain that includes an engine and a motor/generator are described. The systems and methods provide different ways to transition engine operating conditions between two low engine fuel consumption operating regions that are separated by a higher engine fuel consumption operating region. In one example, engine torque is increased at a higher rate in a fuel economy mode to increase an amount of time an engine operates in one of the two low fuel consumption operating regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Douglas Raymond Martin, Ted Haladyna
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICULAR DYNAMIC DISPLAY
    Publication number: 20170213401
    Abstract: One example dynamic display system includes: (a) a vehicle including steering, an accelerator, brakes, sensors recording sensor data, a display, a processor, and memory; (b) a display program operatively coupled to the processor and configured to: determine a user hindrance rating based on the sensor data, and select instructions from a pool of instructions based on the hindrance rating and a user-selectable fidelity level, the pool of instructions including visual cues, and audio cues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel Mark Schaffer, Kenneth James Miller, Filip Tomik
  • ADJUSTING ELECTRIFIED VEHICLE OPERATION TO BALANCE ELECTRICAL GRID
    Publication number: 20170207626
    Abstract: A method for balancing electrical grid production with electrical grid demand, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, adjusting operation of an engine of an electrified vehicle during a drive event to either conserve a state of charge of a battery pack in response to a first grid condition of an electrical grid or deplete the state of charge of the battery pack in response to a second grid condition of the electrical grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth James MILLER, Douglas Raymond MARTIN, Jimmy KAPADIA
  • CONTROLLING OPERATION OF ELECTRIFIED VEHICLE TRAVELLING ON INDUCTIVE ROADWAY TO INFLUENCE ELECTRICAL GRID
    Publication number: 20170203655
    Abstract: A method for balancing electrical grid production with electrical grid demand according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling an electrified vehicle prior to and during an inductive roadway event to either conserve a state of charge of a battery pack in response to a first grid condition of an electrical grid or deplete the state of charge of the battery pack in response to a second grid condition of the electrical grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth James MILLER, Douglas Raymond MARTIN, Jimmy KAPADIA
  • Identification of acceptable vehicle charge stations
    Patent number: 9709988
    Abstract: A vehicle may require an electric recharge. A request may be sent to obtain identification of charge locations along a route. Along with the request, data may be sent identifying vehicle location, route, and desired safety rating. A response may be obtained from a remote server, and the results may be displayed, which include the user rating of the charge station. The desired user rating may be adjusted based on the battery's state of charge (SOC). The desired user rating may be decreased as the battery state of charge decreases. The user may further set the desired user rating. The desired user rating may further depend on other ratings of the charging station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Jimmy Kapadia
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VIRTUAL TRANSFORMATION OF STANDARD OR NON-CONNECTED VEHICLES
    Publication number: 20170200370
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure includes a system for reducing vehicular collisions having: (a) a vehicle comprising sensors, an acceleration system, a braking system, a processor, and memory; and (b) programs operatively coupled to the vehicle including: (1) a marking program configured to mark an outside vehicle as V2X or standard; (2) a reaction program configured to generate a signal in response to the mark, the signal being based on the mark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Charles James Miller, Cynthia M. Neubecker, Brad Alan Ignaczak, Adil Nizam Siddiqui, Jonathan Diedrich, Somak Datta Gupta, Haron Abdel-Raziq
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COORDINATING V2X AND STANDARD VEHICLES
    Publication number: 20170200369
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure includes a system for reducing vehicular collisions having: (a) a vehicle comprising sensors, an acceleration system, a braking system, a processor, and memory; and (b) programs operatively coupled to the vehicle including: (1) a marking program configured to mark an outside vehicle as V2X or standard; (2) a reaction program configured to generate a signal in response to the mark, the signal being based on the mark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Charles James Miller
  • Hybrid vehicle split exhaust system with exhaust driven electric machine and A/C compressor
    Patent number: 9701175
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an exhaust turbine disposed in an exhaust path coupled to an electric machine and a compressor for an air-conditioning system. The vehicle includes a controller that controls the electric machine based on a difference between the power demand of the compressor and the power generated by the exhaust turbine. The electric machine may operate as a motor or a generator based on the difference. The vehicle may include a first clutch coupled to the electric machine and the compressor. The vehicle may include a second clutch coupled between the exhaust turbine and the electric machine. The controller may control the clutches based on the power demand and the power generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Thomas G. Leone
  • Identification of Acceptable Vehicle Charge Stations
    Publication number: 20170168493
    Abstract: A vehicle may require an electric recharge. A request may be sent to obtain identification of charge locations along a route. Along with the request, data may be sent identifying vehicle location, route, and desired safety rating. A response may be obtained from a remote server, and the results may be displayed, which include the user rating of the charge station. The desired user rating may be adjusted based on the battery's state of charge (SOC). The desired user rating may be decreased as the battery state of charge decreases. The user may further set the desired user rating. The desired user rating may further depend on other ratings of the charging station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth James MILLER, Jimmy KAPADIA
  • Method and system for reducing engine exhaust emissions
    Patent number: 9677448
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for addressing engine cold-start emissions while an exhaust catalyst is activated. In one example, a method for improving exhaust emissions may include flowing ionized air into an engine exhaust, downstream of an exhaust catalyst, to oxidize exhaust emissions left untreated by the catalyst. The approach reduces the PM load of the exhaust as well as of a downstream particulate matter filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, John Eric Rollinger
  • Engine refurbishment using ionized air
    Patent number: 9670849
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for refurbishing an engine using ionized air. During a service mode, a service technician may stream ionized air from an external ionized air source to an engine cylinder via the engine intake system. Concurrently, the service technician may connect a service tool to a vehicle diagnostics port to relay operator input, the input allowing a vehicle control system to rotate the engine and adjust engine throttle and cams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller
  • Method and system for laser pressure transducer
    Patent number: 9671303
    Abstract: Methods and systems for provided for accurately estimating an engine intake or exhaust manifold pressure using a laser pressure transducer. Laser circuitry is coupled to a pressure sensitive diaphragm that is mounted to the engine manifold. Manifold pressure is inferred based on a deflection of the diaphragm, as estimated based on a timing between emission of a laser pulse into the diaphragm and detection of a reflected pulse from the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller
  • VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20170144661
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with an engine to provide drive torque and a braking system to provide brake torque. The vehicle is also provided with a controller that is programmed to limit vehicle speed to a target speed by controlling at least one of the engine and the braking system to modify its output torque, the target speed being dependent on brake pedal position and a clearance distance between the vehicle and an external object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventor: Kenneth James Miller
  • Coast switch for an electrified vehicle
    Patent number: 9656671
    Abstract: An example method of controlling an electrified vehicle includes activating a coast switch to a place an electrified vehicle in a coast mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller, William Perkins, Derek Hartl
  • CONTROLLER TO QUICKLY RAISE AND SLOWLY LOWER AN AIR DAM
    Publication number: 20170137074
    Abstract: A front air dam assembly for a vehicle includes a translatable front air deflecting panel for altering an airflow beneath the vehicle, a deploying mechanism for translating the front air deflecting panel between a raised position and one or more deployed positions, and a rapid raising mechanism for rapidly raising the front air deflecting panel from the one or more deployed positions. A controller in operative communication with the deploying mechanism and the rapid raising mechanism controls the operation thereof. At least one sensor is included for sending a signal indicative of a road or vehicle condition to the controller. A locking mechanism under the control of the controller is provided for locking the front air deflector panel in the raised or the one or more deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Daniel Mark Schaffer, Christopher James Hocking
  • Vehicle location accuracy
    Patent number: 9650039
    Abstract: A controller may maintain a last-known vehicle location, and, when satellite-positioning data is unavailable from a satellite-based positioning-system module, utilize compass data and stability control data to estimate a current vehicle location from the last-known vehicle location. The controller may avoid use of the compass data to estimate the current vehicle location when the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating in East or West headings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher James Hocking, Kenneth James Miller, Douglas Raymond Martin, William Paul Perkins, Thomas G. Leone