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).

  • Method and system for torque control
    Patent number: 9650977
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller, John Eric Rollinger
  • CONTROL STRATEGY FOR CHARGING ELECTRIFIED VEHICLE OVER MULTIPLE LOCATIONS OF A DRIVE ROUTE
    Publication number: 20170120761
    Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling charging of a battery pack of an electrified vehicle over a plurality of charging locations of a drive route, the controlling step including scheduling charging based at least on a cost to charge at each of the plurality of charging locations and an amount of charging time available at each of the plurality of charging locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Jimmy KAPADIA, Kenneth James MILLER
  • DETERMINING VARIANCE FACTORS FOR COMPLEX ROAD SEGMENTS
    Publication number: 20170108870
    Abstract: A vehicle computing device includes a data storage medium and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is programmed to receive from the data storage medium, a vehicle characteristic associated with an autonomous vehicle, receive historical data associated with the vehicle characteristic at a first road segment, determine a correction factor for the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the historical data, and apply the correction factor to the vehicle characteristic to operate the autonomous vehicle in accordance with the historical data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Douglas Raymond Martin
  • Methods and systems for selectively adapting engine air flow
    Patent number: 9623866
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting an engine air flow transfer function and engine actuators based on the engine air flow transfer function are presented. The system and method may be applied to hybrid powertrains having a capability to estimate engine torque based on operating characteristics of a motor during vehicle operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Douglas Raymond Martin, Bruce Colby Anderson
  • Method and system for laser ignition control
    Patent number: 9617967
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for closed-loop adjusting a laser intensity of a laser ignition device of a hybrid vehicle. The laser intensity applied over consecutive laser ignition events is decreased until a flame quality is degraded for a threshold number of cylinder combustion events. The laser intensity is then increased to improve flame quality and the closed-loop adjustment is reiterated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller
  • Identification of acceptable vehicle charge stations
    Patent number: 9610853
    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 safety rating of the charge station. The desired safety rating may be adjusted based on the battery's state of charge (SOC). The desired safety rating, for example, may be decreased as the battery state of charge decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Jimmy Kapadia
  • Identification Of Acceptable Vehicle Charge Stations
    Publication number: 20170087999
    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 safety rating of the charge station. The desired safety rating may be adjusted based on the battery's state of charge (SOC). The desired safety rating, for example, may be decreased as the battery state of charge decreases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Jimmy Kapadia
  • BATTERY PACK FLOW CONTROL METHOD
    Publication number: 20170084968
    Abstract: An exemplary method of controlling flow through a battery pack includes, in a first operating condition, moving flow through a first section of an enclosure using a first fan, and moving flow through a second section of the enclosure using a second fan. In a second operating condition, the method moves flow through the second section using the first fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Patrick Daniel Maguire, Kenneth James Miller, Saravanan Paramasivam
  • BATTERY PACK FLOW CONTROL SYSTEM WITH FAN ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20170084967
    Abstract: An exemplary fan assembly of a flow control system includes a first fan that communicates flow through a first section of a battery pack enclosure under a first system operating condition, and communicates flow through a second section of the battery pack enclosure under a second system operating condition. A second fan communicates flow through the second section under the first system operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Patrick Daniel Maguire, Kenneth James Miller, Saravanan Paramasivam
  • HYBRID VEHICLE AND METHOD OF CONDITIONING A VEHICLE BATTERY
    Publication number: 20170072813
    Abstract: A includes a battery, an electric machine, an electrically powered cooling system, and a controller. The electric machine is configured to charge the battery with current generated from regenerative braking. The electrically powered cooling system is configured to cool the battery. The controller is programmed to, in response to a temperature of the battery being greater than a threshold, direct at least a portion of the current generated from regenerative braking to the cooling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond MARTIN, Thomas G. LEONE, Kenneth James MILLER
  • ENHANCED ELECTRIC DRIVE MODE HAVING PREDICTED DESTINATIONS TO REDUCE ENGINE STARTS
    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
  • REGENERATIVE BRAKING POWER TO OPERATE VEHICLE ELECTRIC HEATER
    Publication number: 20170074130
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine configured to recharge a battery through regenerative braking, an electric heater configured to heat a powertrain lubricating oil, and a controller. The controller, in response to a temperature of the powertrain lubricating oil being less than a threshold, directs regenerative braking power to the electric heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Kenneth James Miller, Douglas Raymond Martin
  • Automatic Vehicle Lighting Control
    Publication number: 20170066368
    Abstract: A vehicle includes headlights, a headlight switch, and a controller. The headlight switch may have automatic and override positions, and include a biasing member configured to return the switch to the automatic position from the override position. The controller may be configured to, in response to a signal indicative of movement from the automatic position to the override position, illuminate the headlights until the vehicle is in a key-off state, and prior to the signal, illuminate the headlights based on ambient light conditions. Also, the controller may set a threshold based on a level of ambient light sensed at a time of the input indicative of headlight switch movement from the automatic position to the override position and illuminate the headlights until first occurrence of the ambient light exceeding the threshold or the vehicle being in the key-off state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventor: Kenneth James Miller
  • ELECTRIC VEHICLE DISPLAY SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20170028866
    Abstract: An electric vehicle display system may include a battery, an interface configured to present at least one selectable icon configured to control a battery powered vehicle feature, and a controller programmed to, in response to state-of-charge (SOC) data indicating that a trip range exceeds a possible driving range, update the selectable icon to indicate a suggested adjustment to the vehicle feature to decrease power demand of the feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth James MILLER, Douglas Raymond MARTIN, William Paul PERKINS
  • HYBRID VEHICLE POWERTRAIN
    Publication number: 20170028836
    Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering powertrain torque of a hybrid vehicle are disclosed. In one example, torque is supplied to vehicle wheels from a piston engine, an electric machine, and a turbine engine via a planetary gear set. The planetary gear set may be configured with at least one sun gear and two ring gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller
  • VEHICLE DISPLAY SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20170028850
    Abstract: A vehicle display system may include an interface that presents selectable icons. The system also includes a controller that receives vehicle condition data, assigns a relevancy level to at least one of the icons associated with a vehicle feature based on the data, and selects a display form for the at least one of the icons based on the relevancy level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth James MILLER, Douglas Raymond MARTIN, William Paul PERKINS
  • Vehicle system and method for adapting lift pedal regeneration
    Patent number: 9545849
    Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling an electrified vehicle by increasing lift pedal regeneration in response to exceeding a system regeneration limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Paul Perkins, Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller
  • Battery state of charge engine shut-off threshold based on predicted operation
    Patent number: 9533674
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine; a fraction battery; and a controller or a battery control system having a controller. The controller is programed to respond to a predicted duration of charge sustaining operation for a drive cycle and a speed of the vehicle. When the predicted duration is greater than a predetermined duration and the speed is less than a speed threshold, the controller increases a state of charge threshold of the traction battery associated with triggering shut offs of the engine to reduce cycling of the engine during the drive cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Douglas Raymond Martin, William Paul Perkins
  • Electric vehicle rule-maker
    Patent number: 9533596
    Abstract: A vehicle has a display interface and at least one processor that prompts a user via the display interface to construct a rule specifying circumstances in which the vehicle is to be operated in electric mode using a set of operating/environmental parameters such that the rule includes user specified logic. In response to and while sensed operating/environmental parameters satisfy the rule, the vehicle is operated in electric mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ADJUSTING VEHICLE GRILLE SHUTTERS BASED ON ENGINE OPERATION
    Publication number: 20160368366
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting grille shutters based on engine coolant temperature and a difference in aerodynamic drag between the grille shutter positions. In one example, the grille shutters may be adjusted into a position closer to a first smaller opening when a difference in aerodynamic drag between the first and second positions is large. In other examples, the grille shutters may be adjusted into a position closer to the second larger opening when a difference in aerodynamic drag between the first and second positions is small thus maintaining the engine at lower temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Douglas Raymond Martin, William Paul Perkins, Daniel Mark Schaffer, John Curtis Hickey