Patents by Inventor Kevin MacFarlane
Kevin MacFarlane 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: 10364735Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting vehicle grille shutters based on a direction of motion of the grille shutters. In one example, a method includes adjusting a motor coupled to the grille shutters based on the direction of motion of the grille shutters, a desired opening of the grille shutters, and vehicle speed. Further, the method may include determining the direction of motion of the grille shutters based on a desired motor position relative to an actual motor position.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2013Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin Macfarlane, Christopher Semanson, Joseph James Gallo, Mark Fleming, Colby Jason Buckman, Robert Roy Jentz
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Patent number: 9988954Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for filtering an oil dilution amount based on a current value of the oil dilution amount. In one example, filtering the oil dilution amount may include decreasing a sensitivity of filtering at lower oil dilution below a threshold; otherwise, increasing the sensitivity of filtering. The sensitivity of the filtering may be decreased by implementing a larger time constant, while the sensitivity of the filtering may be increased by implementing a smaller time constant.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2016Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin Macfarlane, Dennis Witt, Amanda Perkins, Christopher Semanson, Robert Milton, Charles Irwin Rackmil
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Publication number: 20180003092Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for filtering an oil dilution amount based on a current value of the oil dilution amount. In one example, filtering the oil dilution amount may include decreasing a sensitivity of filtering at lower oil dilution below a threshold; otherwise, increasing the sensitivity of filtering. The sensitivity of the filtering may be decreased by implementing a larger time constant, while the sensitivity of the filtering may be increased by implementing a smaller time constant.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2016Publication date: January 4, 2018Inventors: Kevin Macfarlane, Dennis Witt, Amanda Perkins, Christopher Semanson, Robert Milton, Charles Irwin Rackmil
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Patent number: 9409474Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting vehicle grille shutters based on engine coolant temperature. In one example, a method includes adjusting grille shutters based on engine coolant temperature and additional engine operating conditions when engine coolant temperature is below a threshold and adjusting the grille shutters base on the engine coolant temperature only when the engine coolant temperature is above the threshold. Further, the method may include recalibrating a position of the grille shutters based on a grille shutter position error.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2013Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin Macfarlane, Christopher Semanson, Robert Roy Jentz, Joseph James Gallo, Chuck Irwin Rackmil
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Patent number: 9126580Abstract: A method and system for operating vehicle accessories is described. The method and system allocate an available amount of engine torque between different accessories depending on boundary conditions and nominal vehicle operating conditions. In one example, the accessories may include an air conditioner compressor, an alternator, and various vehicle electrical loads that are in electrical communication with the alternator.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2013Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Inventors: Kevin Macfarlane, Nicholas Dashwood Crisp, Robert Michael Grant, Hugh Hamilton, Brian Jay Fedoroff, Gregory Blin, Peter Robert Brooks
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Publication number: 20150147949Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting vehicle grille shutters based on a direction of motion of the grille shutters. In one example, a method includes adjusting a motor coupled to the grille shutters based on the direction of motion of the grille shutters, a desired opening of the grille shutters, and vehicle speed. Further, the method may include determining the direction of motion of the grille shutters based on a desired motor position relative to an actual motor position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin Macfarlane, Christopher Semanson, Joseph James Gallo, Mark Fleming, Colby Jason Buckman, Robert Roy Jentz
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Publication number: 20150149043Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting vehicle grille shutters based on engine coolant temperature. In one example, a method includes adjusting grille shutters based on engine coolant temperature and additional engine operating conditions when engine coolant temperature is below a threshold and adjusting the grille shutters base on the engine coolant temperature only when the engine coolant temperature is above the threshold. Further, the method may include recalibrating a position of the grille shutters based on a grille shutter position error.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin Macfarlane, Christopher Semanson, Robert Roy Jentz, Joseph James Gallo, Chuck Irwin Rackmil
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Publication number: 20150066292Abstract: A method and system for operating vehicle accessories is described. The method and system allocate an available amount of engine torque between different accessories depending on boundary conditions and nominal vehicle operating conditions. In one example, the accessories may include an air conditioner compressor, an alternator, and various vehicle electrical loads that are in electrical communication with the alternator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin Macfarlane, Nicholas Dashwood Crisp, Robert Michael Grant, Hugh Hamilton, Brian Jay Fedoroff, Gregory Blin, Peter Robert Brooks
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Patent number: 8380406Abstract: A method for changing the timing of gear changes of an automatic transmission for a motor vehicle including repetitively updating a current value of a count whose value is a measure of driving behavior, performing an evaluation of driving behavior and updating the current value by a value determined from the evaluation, determining shift schedules that define the occurrence of a gear change to be produced by the transmission, and using the updated current value to establish from among the shift schedules a shift schedule that defines a gear change to be produced by the transmission.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2008Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin MacFarlane, Henry A. Rebandt, Andrew Wong, Alan Henriksen, Peter J. Bradley, Philip J. Wiethe, Jr.
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Patent number: 8113989Abstract: A method for executing a downshift in a transmission includes starting disengagement of a second control element after starting disengagement of a first element. Disengagement of the second element starts before starting engagement of a fourth element. A third element is forced to synchronous speed by beginning engagement of the fourth element before engaging the third element. Engagement of the third and fourth elements is completed at the end of the downshift.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin MacFarlane, Timothy Merlino, Than Pham, Barbara Anne Hartline, Michael Tarrant
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Patent number: 8079936Abstract: A method for controlling a gear shift of a dual clutch transmission having an offgoing clutch and an oncoming clutch, includes using torque transmitted by the oncoming clutch to control torque at a transmission output, using a speed of a power source to control a transfer of torque between the offgoing clutch and the oncoming clutch, and varying said torque capacity to produce a target slip across the oncoming clutch when the shift is completed.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin MacFarlane, Brian Keyse, Eileen A. Davidson, David Orton, Thomas R. Langeland
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Publication number: 20100261577Abstract: A method for controlling a gear shift of a dual clutch transmission having an offgoing clutch and an oncoming clutch, includes using torque transmitted by the oncoming clutch to control torque at a transmission output, using a speed of a power source to control a transfer of torque between the offgoing clutch and the oncoming clutch, and varying said torque capacity to produce a target slip across the oncoming clutch when the shift is completed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Inventors: Kevin MacFarlane, Brian Keyse, Eileen A. Davidson, David Orton, Thomas R. Langeland
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Publication number: 20100087293Abstract: A method for executing a downshift in a transmission includes starting disengagement of a second control element after starting disengagement of a first element. Disengagement of the second element starts before starting engagement of a fourth element. A third element is forced to synchronous speed by beginning engagement of the fourth element before engaging the third element. Engagement of the third and fourth elements is completed at the end of the downshift.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2008Publication date: April 8, 2010Inventors: Kevin MacFarlane, Timothy Merlino, Than Pham, Barbara Anne Hartline, Michael Tarrant
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Publication number: 20090312926Abstract: A method for changing the timing of gear changes of an automatic transmission for a motor vehicle including repetitively updating a current value of a count whose value is a measure of driving behavior, performing an evaluation of driving behavior and updating the current value by a value determined from the evaluation, determining shift schedules that define the occurrence of a gear change to be produced by the transmission, and using the updated current value to establish from among the shift schedules a shift schedule that defines a gear change to be produced by the transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2008Publication date: December 17, 2009Inventors: Kevin MacFarlane, Henry A. Rebandt, Andrew Wong, Alan Henriksen, Peter J. Bradley, Philip J. Wiethe, JR.
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Patent number: 6577939Abstract: A modular electronic control system for a geared multiple-ratio transmission wherein pressure profiles for each ratio shift actuator are used to provide seamless transitions during both positive and negative engine torque conditions to improve shift feel and responsiveness to ratio change commands. The system provides shift staging for sequenced shifts between ratios as well as for so-called “change-of-mind” shifts in which a sequence shift is interrupted as a new destination gear is introduced. A constant ratio change occurs during sequenced shifts. A change-of-mind shift can be performed directly where the new destination gear is commanded immediately. Independent pressure profiles for each clutch involved in a commanded shift are used to accommodate various types of shifts.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2002Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brian Keyse, Ihab S. Soliman, Jeremy L. Russell, Kevin MacFarlane, Stephen Michael Cicala