Patents by Inventor Kevin L. Kluemper
Kevin L. Kluemper 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).
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Patent number: 8612106Abstract: A system for controlling a transmission of a vehicle powered by an engine includes a torque determination module and a shift determination module. The torque determination module determines a desired exhaust brake torque for the engine based on an actual speed of the vehicle and a desired speed of the vehicle. The shift determination module determines whether to shift between gear ratios of the transmission based on the desired exhaust brake torque and an exhaust brake torque capacity of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2010Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Inventors: Andrew L. Mitchell, Kevin L. Kluemper, Brett R. Caldwell
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Patent number: 8489295Abstract: A transmission control module including a shift control module that generates an enable signal when an up-shift is requested and the engine torque is below a threshold torque value. A turbine speed profile determination module that selectively generates a desired turbine speed profile. The shift control module controls a clutch pressure of an off-going clutch based on a measured turbine speed and the desired turbine speed profile when the enable signal is generated.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2008Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Inventors: Kevin L. Kluemper, Brett R. Caldwell, Jeffrey K. Runde, Robert M. Merrion
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Patent number: 8433488Abstract: A dynamic model is stored in memory that defines torque transmitted by the lockup clutch as a function of a plurality of torque converter operating parameters. A lockup clutch command is asserted to control engagement the lockup clutch, and thereafter a number of the plurality of torque converter operating parameters are monitored. A profile is selected of one of the plurality of torque converter operating parameters, and the profile is configured to result in an intersection of rotational speeds of the pump and the turbine over time when inserted into the model along with the monitored values of the number of torque converter operating parameters. The model is continually solved over time using the selected profile and the monitored operating parameters to produce transmitted torque values, and the lockup clutch command is modified based on the transmitted torque values.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2011Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey K. Runde, Kevin L. Kluemper
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Patent number: 8290689Abstract: A control system comprising a brake torque determination module that determines a desired brake torque and a vane position determination module that determines a vane position based on an engine speed and the desired brake torque, and that adjusts the vane position to a position between an open position and a closed position. A method comprising determining a desired brake torque, determining a vane position based on an engine speed and the desired brake torque, and adjusting the vane position to a position between an open position and a closed position.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Inventors: Steven J. Andrasko, John P. Kresse, Kevin L. Kluemper, Brett R. Caldwell
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Publication number: 20120101700Abstract: A system for controlling a transmission of a vehicle powered by an engine includes a torque determination module and a shift determination module. The torque determination module determines a desired exhaust brake torque for the engine based on an actual speed of the vehicle and a desired speed of the vehicle. The shift determination module determines whether to shift between gear ratios of the transmission based on the desired exhaust brake torque and an exhaust brake torque capacity of the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2010Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Andrew L. Mitchell, Kevin L. Kluemper, Brett R. Caldwell
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Publication number: 20120031723Abstract: A dynamic model is stored in memory that defines torque transmitted by the lockup clutch as a function of a plurality of torque converter operating parameters. A lockup clutch command is asserted to control engagement the lockup clutch, and thereafter a number of the plurality of torque converter operating parameters are monitored. A profile is selected of one of the plurality of torque converter operating parameters, and the profile is configured to result in an intersection of rotational speeds of the pump and the turbine over time when inserted into the model along with the monitored values of the number of torque converter operating parameters. The model is continually solved over time using the selected profile and the monitored operating parameters to produce transmitted torque values, and the lockup clutch command is modified based on the transmitted torque values.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Inventors: Jeffrey K. Runde, Kevin L. Kluemper
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Patent number: 8060286Abstract: A clutch control system comprises a clutch torque determination module and a clutch pressure control module. The clutch torque determination module determines a desired torque value for a torque converter clutch (TCC) based on a torque output of an engine, a pump torque value for a pump integrated with a torque converter, a desired engine acceleration, and an inertia value of the engine. The clutch pressure control module selectively controls pressure applied to the TCC based on the desired torque value.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Inventors: Kevin L. Kluemper, Jeffrey K. Runde, Robert M. Merrion
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Patent number: 8050833Abstract: A dynamic model is stored in memory that defines torque transmitted by the lockup clutch as a function of a plurality of torque converter operating parameters. A lockup clutch command is asserted to control engagement the lockup clutch, and thereafter a number of the plurality of torque converter operating parameters are monitored. A profile is selected of one of the plurality of torque converter operating parameters, and the profile is configured to result in an intersection of rotational speeds of the pump and the turbine over time when inserted into the model along with the monitored values of the number of torque converter operating parameters. The model is continually solved over time using the selected profile and the monitored operating parameters to produce transmitted torque values, and the lockup clutch command is modified based on the transmitted torque values.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey K. Runde, Kevin L. Kluemper
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Publication number: 20100258080Abstract: A control system comprising a brake torque determination module that determines a desired brake torque and a vane position determination module that determines a vane position based on an engine speed and the desired brake torque, and that adjusts the vane position to a position between an open position and a closed position. A method comprising determining a desired brake torque, determining a vane position based on an engine speed and the desired brake torque, and adjusting the vane position to a position between an open position and a closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: STEVEN J. ANDRASKO, John P. Kresse, Kevin L. Kluemper, Brett R. Caldwell
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Publication number: 20100063696Abstract: A dynamic model is stored in memory that defines torque transmitted by the lockup clutch as a function of a plurality of torque converter operating parameters. A lockup clutch command is asserted to control engagement the lockup clutch, and thereafter a number of the plurality of torque converter operating parameters are monitored. A profile is selected of one of the plurality of torque converter operating parameters, and the profile is configured to result in an intersection of rotational speeds of the pump and the turbine over time when inserted into the model along with the monitored values of the number of torque converter operating parameters. The model is continually solved over time using the selected profile and the monitored operating parameters to produce transmitted torque values, and the lockup clutch command is modified based on the transmitted torque values.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2009Publication date: March 11, 2010Inventors: Jeffrey K. Runde, Kevin L. Kluemper
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Publication number: 20100036572Abstract: A clutch control system comprises a clutch torque determination module and a clutch pressure control module. The clutch torque determination module determines a desired torque value for a torque converter clutch (TCC) based on a torque output of an engine, a pump torque value for a pump integrated with a torque converter, a desired engine acceleration, and an inertia value of the engine. The clutch pressure control module selectively controls pressure applied to the TCC based on the desired torque value.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2009Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Kevin L. Kluemper, Jeffrey K. Runde, Robert M. Merrion
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Publication number: 20090319143Abstract: A transmission control module including a shift control module that generates an enable signal when an up-shift is requested and the engine torque is below a threshold torque value. A turbine speed profile determination module that selectively generates a desired turbine speed profile. The shift control module controls a clutch pressure of an off-going clutch based on a measured turbine speed and the desired turbine speed profile when the enable signal is generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2008Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATIONInventors: Kevin L. Kluemper, Brett R. Caldwell, Jeffrey K. Runde, Robert M. Merrion
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Patent number: 7510505Abstract: A method of releasing a lockup clutch for a fluid coupling assembly disposed between an engine and an automatically shiftable transmission during a negative engine torque mode of operation is provided. The method includes the steps of: A) determining a current engine torque value prior to commanding the engine to ramp to a target engine torque value; B) commanding the engine to a target engine torque value wherein the target engine torque value is one of a zero and near zero value; C) holding the engine at the target engine torque value; and D) releasing or disengaging the lockup clutch when the engine is operating at the target engine torque value. A powertrain is also provided having a controller sufficiently configured to operate according to the method of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2006Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Kevin L. Kluemper, John P. Kresse
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Publication number: 20080058160Abstract: A method of releasing a lockup clutch for a fluid coupling assembly disposed between an engine and an automatically shiftable transmission during a negative engine torque mode of operation is provided. The method includes the steps of: A) determining a current engine torque value prior to commanding the engine to ramp to a target engine torque value; B) commanding the engine to a target engine torque value wherein the target engine torque value is one of a zero and near zero value; C) holding the engine at the target engine torque value; and D) releasing or disengaging the lockup clutch when the engine is operating at the target engine torque value. A powertrain is also provided having a controller sufficiently configured to operate according to the method of the present invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2006Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATIONInventors: KEVIN L. KLUEMPER, JOHN P. KRESSE
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Patent number: 7267633Abstract: The state of a fluid coupling in a motor vehicle powertrain is selectively controlled during neutral idle operation of the engine for increasing the engine temperature to a desired level. The fluid coupling includes an input member connected to the engine and an output member connected to the transmission, and the output member is selectively grounded under specified enable conditions to impose an engine load for raising the engine operating temperature. The output member is released to resume normal operation of the powertrain when the enable conditions are no longer met or an estimate of the fluid temperature in the coupling reaches or exceeds a predefined temperature.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2004Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Ronald P. Hitch, Kevin L. Kluemper
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Patent number: 7069767Abstract: A process for learning the pressure and volume characteristics for a given torque-transmitting mechanism is established on the final assembly line wherein a powertrain incorporating the desired transmission learning is installed within a vehicle. During the test process, the vehicle speed is generally maintained at Idle and the vehicle shift mechanism is maintained in Park, thereby mechanically locking the transmission output shaft. The torque-transmitting mechanisms to be learned are then engaged and disengaged in a predetermined sequence and the volume of the torque-transmitting mechanisms and the pressure characteristics of the controlling solenoid are learned.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Jeffrey K. Runde, Kevin L. Kluemper, Scott T. Kluemper
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Patent number: 6726596Abstract: An engine control for a motor vehicle powertrain coordinates engine speed and torque limiting during automatic transmission range changing so as to provide both vehicle rocking capability and adequate protection for the transmission. A transmission controller temporarily limits the engine speed to a predetermined value on each transition to or from the forward or reverse ranges, and superimposes continuous engine speed and torque limitations when an abusive rocking maneuver is detected. An abusive rocking maneuver is detected when the driver commands at least a specified number of successive range shifts during a predetermined time interval, and the speed and torque limitations are imposed until range shifting is discontinued for at least a calibrated period of time.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: John P. Kresse, Jeffrey Kurt Runde, Scott Thomas Kluemper, Kevin L. Kluemper
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Publication number: 20040014562Abstract: An engine control for a motor vehicle powertrain coordinates engine speed and torque limiting during automatic transmission range changing so as to provide both vehicle rocking capability and adequate protection for the transmission. A transmission controller temporarily limits the engine speed to a predetermined value on each transition to or from the forward or reverse ranges, and superimposes continuous engine speed and torque limitations when an abusive rocking maneuver is detected. An abusive rocking maneuver is detected when the driver commands at least a specified number of successive range shifts during a predetermined time interval, and the speed and torque limitations are imposed until range shifting is discontinued for at least a calibrated period of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2002Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventors: John P. Kresse, Jeffrey Kurt Runde, Scott Thomas Kluemper, Kevin L. Kluemper