Patents by Inventor Kirk Pebley
Kirk Pebley 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: 9266520Abstract: The criteria used to determine whether to initiate an auto stop of an engine may be altered based on a number of previous auto stops of the engine, a total auto stop off time of the engine, or a total throughput of a battery. Altering the criteria may influence a frequency with which the engine is auto stopped.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2011Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kirk Pebley, Mark Douglas Malone, David Celinske, Scott R. Caudill
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Patent number: 9248824Abstract: A method for controlling a stop/start vehicle includes commanding an engine auto start in response to a calibratable time interval elapsing after receiving an electric defroster activation request when the engine is auto stopped. The method may further include activating a defroster after the engine has been auto started. The method may additionally include activating a defroster indicator when the electric defroster activation is received. The method may further include inhibiting an engine auto stop in response to an electric defroster activation request when the engine is running and further in response to a battery charge being insufficient to support a predicted current draw, and signaling an alert to a vehicle driver.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2014Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Eric Michael Rademacher, Kirk Pebley, James Rollinson, Eric Gerd Schaefer
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Publication number: 20150210265Abstract: A method for controlling a stop/start vehicle includes commanding an engine auto start in response to a calibratable time interval elapsing after receiving an electric defroster activation request when the engine is auto stopped. The method may further include activating a defroster after the engine has been auto started. The method may additionally include activating a defroster indicator when the electric defroster activation is received. The method may further include inhibiting an engine auto stop in response to an electric defroster activation request when the engine is running and further in response to a battery charge being insufficient to support a predicted current draw, and signaling an alert to a vehicle driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2014Publication date: July 30, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Eric Michael RADEMACHER, Kirk PEBLEY, James ROLLINSON, Eric Gerd SCHAEFER
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Patent number: 9062618Abstract: A system and method for controlling an automatic stop-start system of an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The system monitors the status of the parking brake to determine if the parking brake is in a state of transition between an applied state and a released state (in either direction). If the parking brake is in a state of transition, then the automatic re-starting of the engine is inhibited until the parking brake is no longer in a state of transition.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2013Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Eric Michael Rademacher, Kirk Pebley, Karl-Peter Hesseler, David Anthony Symanow, Donna L. Bell
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Patent number: 9056606Abstract: A system and method for controlling a stop/start system for an engine in a vehicle include auto starting the engine in response to a transmission gear lever being shifted out of DRIVE when the engine has been auto stopped while the gear lever is in DRIVE. The auto starting is further in response to the gear lever being shifted into another gear and a vehicle brake being released within a predetermined time interval after the gear lever is moved into the other gear.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2013Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Eric Michael Rademacher, Chad Everette Griffin, Kirk Pebley
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Publication number: 20150158480Abstract: A system and method for controlling a stop/start system for an engine in a vehicle include auto starting the engine in response to a transmission gear lever being shifted out of DRIVE when the engine has been auto stopped while the gear lever is in DRIVE. The auto starting is further in response to the gear lever being shifted into another gear and a vehicle brake being released within a predetermined time interval after the gear lever is moved into the other gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2013Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Eric Michael RADEMACHER, Chad Everette GRIFFIN, Kirk PEBLEY
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Patent number: 9002569Abstract: A vehicle comprises a plurality of control module structures. A first control module structure is configured for determining a current motive mode of the vehicle. A second control module structure is configured for determining information indicating that a driver of the vehicle has left the vehicle unattended while the vehicle is in a motive-enabled mode. A third control module structure is configured for causing a secure idle mode to be implemented as a function of determining the information indicating that the driver of the vehicle has left the vehicle unattended while the vehicle is in the motive-enabled mode. Implementing the secure idle mode can include inhibiting the vehicle from being driveable until a driver access code is successfully received and authenticated by the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2014Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Ford Global TechnologiesInventors: Filip Tomik, Kirk Pebley, William David Treharne, Kevin Thomas Hille, Daniel M King
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Publication number: 20140350825Abstract: A vehicle comprises a plurality of control module structures. A first control module structure is configured for determining a current motive mode of the vehicle. A second control module structure is configured for determining information indicating that a driver of the vehicle has left the vehicle unattended while the vehicle is in a motive-enabled mode. A third control module structure is configured for causing a secure idle mode to be implemented as a function of determining the information indicating that the driver of the vehicle has left the vehicle unattended while the vehicle is in the motive-enabled mode. Implementing the secure idle mode can include inhibiting the vehicle from being driveable until a driver access code is successfully received and authenticated by the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: Filip Tomik, Kirk Pebley, William David Treharne, Kevin Thomas Hille, Daniel M. King
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Publication number: 20140278019Abstract: Vehicles capable of operating in an energy conserving mode may include an interface for conveying inhibitors preventing activation of the energy conserving mode. The system may identify the inhibiting features and prompt an operator of the vehicle for authorization to disable the inhibiting features or adjust the feature states to enable the energy conserving mode. In response to receiving authorization, the system may automatically control feature interfaces to remove inhibits to the energy conserving mode. The interface may communicate active inhibitors to an operator using a display or a speaker, or both. Additionally, the interface may query the operator to approve automatic deactivation of the inhibiting features and facilitate the receipt of operator input to the query.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Tuan Anh Be, Mark Douglas Malone, Kirk Pebley, Hank L. Kwong, William Najib Mansur
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Patent number: 8838325Abstract: A vehicle comprises a plurality of control module structures. A first control module structure is configured for determining a current motive mode of the vehicle. A second control module structure is configured for determining information indicating that a driver of the vehicle has left the vehicle unattended while the vehicle is in a motive-enabled mode. A third control module structure is configured for causing a secure idle mode to be implemented as a function of determining the information indicating that the driver of the vehicle has left the vehicle unattended while the vehicle is in the motive-enabled mode. Implementing the secure idle mode can include inhibiting the vehicle from being driveable until a driver access code is successfully received and authenticated by the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Ford Global TechnologiesInventors: Filip Tomik, Kirk Pebley, William David Treharne, Kevin Thomas Hille, Daniel M King
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Publication number: 20140229090Abstract: A system and method for controlling an automatic stop-start system of an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The system monitors the status of the parking brake to determine if the parking brake is in a state of transition between an applied state and a released state (in either direction). If the parking brake is in a state of transition, then the automatic re-starting of the engine is inhibited until the parking brake is no longer in a state of transition.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2013Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Eric Michael Rademacher, Kirk Pebley, Karl-Peter Hesseler, David Anthony Symanow, Donna L. Bell
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Publication number: 20140214309Abstract: A method for maximizing the availability of start-stop operations within a microhybrid vehicle includes determining the electric current drawn by a set of electrical components of the vehicle, from the vehicle's battery. The internal resistance of the vehicle's battery, and the resistance of a starter motor loop circuit coupled to the engine of the vehicle are dynamically calculated. The closed-circuit voltage of the battery is predicted, using the internal resistance of the battery, the resistance of the starter motor loop circuit, and the current drawn by the set of electrical components of the vehicle. The start-stop operation is carried out if the closed-circuit voltage of the battery is predicted to be above a pre-determined minimum value.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Ravi Atluru, Chuck De Biasi, Xiangying Liu, Zeljko Deljevic, David Celinski, David Anthony Symonow, Eric Michael Rademacher, Kirk Pebley, Dave W. Linden
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Patent number: 8788178Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes an engine and at least one controller. The at least one controller receives information about steering angle velocity or steering input torque during an engine auto stop event, and determines whether to allow the engine to auto stop based on the received information.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kirk Pebley, Sangeetha Sangameswaran, William James Bouse, Chester Gordon Hearn, John Michael Jakupco
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Publication number: 20140081561Abstract: Vehicles equipped with an automatic start-stop system may include an interface for conveying inhibitors preventing an engine from auto-stopping in addition to the status of the automatic start-stop system. The system may identify one or more inhibitors actively preventing an auto-stop event from occurring and select at least one of the active inhibitors based on a priority scheme. The interface may communicate the at least one selected inhibitor to a driver using a display or a speaker, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.Inventors: Tuan Anh Be, Kirk Pebley, Hank L. Kwong, George Edmund Walley, Filip Tomik
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Patent number: 8560202Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an engine shut-down system that automatically interrupts engine operation when vehicle operation indicates that no torque is required from the engine. An air conditioner compressor operates to cool a passenger compartment of the vehicle and is actuated in a first phase time, and is not actuated in a second phase time. An override system compares the time the compressor is in the enabled first phase time to the time the compressor is in the disabled second phase time. The override system disables the engine shut-down system unless it is determined that a ratio of the disabled second phase time to the enabled first phase time has a low rate of change, that the ratio is greater than a predetermined value, and that the time the compressor is in the disabled second phase is greater than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kirk Pebley, Kenneth J. Jackson, Thomas Scott Gee
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Publication number: 20130245925Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a stop/start system that selectively auto stops and auto starts the engine, detects an auto stop inhibit condition that prevents the engine from being auto stopped, and in response, generates output based on the auto stop inhibit condition if the auto stop inhibit condition falls within a predetermined class of auto stop inhibit conditions. The vehicle also includes an interface that displays or plays the output to inform a driver of the vehicle about the detected auto stop inhibit condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2012Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Mark Douglas Malone, Scott R. Caudill, William Najib Mansur, Joseph Andrew Zamora, Kirk Pebley
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Publication number: 20130226440Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electrical load and a stop/start system. The stop/start system selectively auto stops the engine when a speed of the vehicle is approximately zero, and in response to a request to activate the electrical load while the engine is auto stopped, auto starts the engine prior to activating the electrical load.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Eric Michael Rademacher, Kirk Pebley, Filip Tomik, David Celinske, David Anthony Symanow
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Publication number: 20130124066Abstract: The criteria used to determine whether to initiate an auto stop of an engine may be altered based on a number of previous auto stops of the engine, a total auto stop off time of the engine, or a total throughput of a battery. Altering the criteria may influence a frequency with which the engine is auto stopped.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Kirk Pebley, Mark Douglas Malone, David Celinske, Scott R. Caudill
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Publication number: 20130066525Abstract: A vehicle comprises a plurality of control module structures. A first control module structure is configured for determining a current motive mode of the vehicle. A second control module structure is configured for determining information indicating that a driver of the vehicle has left the vehicle unattended while the vehicle is in a motive-enabled mode. A third control module structure is configured for causing a secure idle mode to be implemented as a function of determining the information indicating that the driver of the vehicle has left the vehicle unattended while the vehicle is in the motive-enabled mode. Implementing the secure idle mode can include inhibiting the vehicle from being driveable until a driver access code is successfully received and authenticated by the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2011Publication date: March 14, 2013Inventors: Filip Tomik, Kirk Pebley, William David Treharne, Kevin Thomas Hille, Daniel M. King
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Publication number: 20130041556Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes an engine, a plurality of electrical load subsystems, and at least one controller. During an auto start of the engine, the at least one controller detects a starter disengage condition. In response to detecting the starter disengage condition, the at least one controller periodically determines a value of an operating parameter associated with the vehicle, causes a first subset of the electrical load subsystems to be enabled when the value of the operating parameter falls with a first predefined range of values, and causes a second subset of the electrical load subsystems to be enabled when the value of the operating parameter falls within a second predefined range of values.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2011Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Sangeetha Sangameswaran, Kirk Pebley, Kevin Roy Harpenau, Eric Michael Rademacher, David Celinske