Patents by Inventor Leonard G. Wozniak

Leonard G. Wozniak 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).

  • Patent number: 9050903
    Abstract: A method of regulating a torque output of a vehicle powertrain includes generating a plurality of torque requests and associating each of the plurality of torque requests with one of a plurality of arbitration domains to form torque request sets associated with each of the plurality of arbitration domains. A first torque request set is arbitrated within a first of the plurality of arbitration domains to provide a first torque request. The first torque request is introduced into a second torque request set associated with a second of the plurality of arbitration domains. The second torque request set is arbitrated within the second arbitration domain to provide a second torque request. A torque source is regulated based on the second torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Leonard G. Wozniak, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Christopher E. Whitney, Donovan L. Dibble, Charles H. Folkerts, Joseph R. Dulzo, Thomas Magnusson, Magnus Wall, Emil Ritzen
  • Patent number: 9002550
    Abstract: A torque estimation system for a vehicle comprises an operating parameter module, a torque estimation module, and an estimation control module. The operating parameter module determines an estimated engine operating parameter based on engine speed. The torque estimation module estimates engine torque based on the engine speed and the estimated engine operating parameter. The estimation control module provides a plurality of engine speeds to the operating parameter module and the torque estimation module to determine estimated engine torque as a function of engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Daniel G. Brennan, Leonard G. Wozniak, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Emil Ritzen, Mats A. Reimark, Richard M. Backman, Magnus Wall, Thomas Magnusson
  • Patent number: 8731751
    Abstract: A hybrid controller for controlling a hybrid vehicle is set forth. The hybrid vehicle has an engine, an electric motor and an engine controller determining a crankshaft torque. The hybrid controller includes an optimization module determining an electric motor torque, determining an engine torque and communicating the engine torque from the hybrid controller to the engine controller. The hybrid controller also includes a motor control module controlling the electric motor based on the electric motor torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventors: Robert C. Simon, Jr., Christopher E. Whitney, William R. Cawthorne, John L. Lahti, Douglas J. Babcock, Vivek Mehta, Anthony H. Heap, Todd R. Shupe, Cheryl A. Williams, Leonard G. Wozniak, Ning Jin, Birendra P. Bhattarai, James L. Worthing
  • Patent number: 8600605
    Abstract: A distributed on-board diagnostic (OBD) architecture for a control system of a vehicle includes a plurality of control modules that are in communication with one another and a designated master OBD control module that is one of the plurality of control modules. The master OBD control module performs functions that a remainder of the plurality of control modules are incapable of performing including at least one of arbitrating a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) state, arbitrating and storing OBD freeze frame data and determining OBD status flags of the remainder of the plurality of control modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignees: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel P. Grenn, Marek L. Wilmanowicz, Aniket Kothari, Leonard G. Wozniak, Rick H. Schroeder, Andrew M. Zettel, Peter E. Wu, Wei D. Wang, Michael J. Taljonick, Jayanthi Padmanabhan
  • Patent number: 8560204
    Abstract: An engine control system includes an air control module, a spark control module, and a reserves module. The air control module controls a throttle valve of an engine based on an adjusted predicted torque request. The spark control module controls spark timing of the engine based on an adjusted immediate torque request. The reserves module determines an arbitrated reserve based on a maximum one of a minimum reserve and an additive reserve sum. The reserves module also generates the adjusted predicted torque request based on a sum of an arbitrated predicted torque request and a requested reserve, wherein the requested reserve is based on the arbitrated reserve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventors: Robert C. Simon, Jr., Christopher E. Whitney, Leonard G. Wozniak
  • Patent number: 8428816
    Abstract: A method to monitor integrity of a signal generated and communicated in a distributed control module system for a hybrid powertrain system includes generating and verifying signal within an originating control module. A message is generated based upon the signal. The message is transmitted and received at a receiving control module. The signal is extracted from the message and its integrity is verified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hanne Buur, William R. Cawthorne, Trenton W. Haines, Jeong J Park, Leonard G. Wozniak
  • Patent number: 8195370
    Abstract: A powertrain control system for a vehicle includes a plurality of axle torque request modules that generate respective axle torque requests based on respective performance criteria of a vehicle, an axle torque arbitration module that generates a net axle torque request based on the plurality of axle torque requests, a plurality of propulsion torque request modules that generate respective propulsion torque requests based on respective performance criteria of an engine of the vehicle, a propulsion torque arbitration module that determines a net engine torque request based on the net axle torque request and the plurality of propulsion torque requests, and a propulsion torque control module that controls a plurality of actuators based on the net engine torque request such that the engine produces an output torque in accordance with the net engine torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventors: Robert C. Simon, Jr., Leonard G. Wozniak, Michael Livshiz, Christopher E. Whitney, Charles H. Folkerts, Scott J. Chynoweth, David J. Stroh
  • Patent number: 8181627
    Abstract: An engine system includes a throttle actuator module and a torque control module. The throttle actuator module controls a throttle actuator based on a desired throttle area. The torque control module determines an actuator torque. The torque control module determines a rate limited torque, a maximum torque, and a minimum torque based on the actuator torque and a predetermined rate of change. The torque control module determines the desired throttle area based on the actuator torque when the rate limited torque is greater than the maximum torque. The torque control module determines the desired throttle area based on the actuator torque when the rate limited torque is less than the minimum torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventors: Kevin T. Sharples, Mark H. Costin, Timothy J. Hartrey, Christopher E. Whitney, Bahram Younessi, Weixin Yan, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Richard B. Jess, Joseph M. Stempnik, John A. Jacobs, Jinchun Peng, Leonard G. Wozniak, Vivek Mehta, Bruce A. Rogers
  • Patent number: 8118122
    Abstract: A method to monitor integrity of a signal in a distributed control system for a powertrain system includes communications link transmitting signals between control modules. Integrity of each of the control modules is monitored. The signal is generated and verified in an originating control module and transmitted to a receiving control module whereat it is subsequently verified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hanne Buur, William R. Cawthorne, Leonard G. Wozniak
  • Patent number: 8078371
    Abstract: Controlling a hybrid powertrain includes monitoring an operator torque request, determining maximum and minimum allowable transmission output torques based upon the operator torque request, determining a commanded transmission output torque, and comparing the commanded transmission output torque and each of the maximum and minimum allowable transmission output torques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William R. Cawthorne, Leonard G. Wozniak, Paul A Stanowski, Hanne Buur
  • Patent number: 7957873
    Abstract: A control method is provided including detecting transmission output speed and a forward and reverse shift request, and executing inhibit limits when the detected speed exceeds a predetermined threshold speed. The inhibit limits slow the output speed to zero upon detection of a shift request at output speeds above the threshold, with a pedal progression map executed upon reaching zero output speed. The limits approach zero output torque as vehicle speed increases, reaching zero at a relatively high speed and simulating a neutral transmission upon a detected shift request at high speed. A vehicle is also provided having a transmission, a sensor for detecting transmission output speed, a sensor for detecting a shift request, and a PCM having an algorithm and a threshold transmission output speed. The algorithm inhibits a shift event in the direction opposite that of vehicle travel upon detection when vehicle speed is greater than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William R. Cawthorne, Leonard G. Wozniak
  • Patent number: 7894968
    Abstract: A method and system for regulating a drive torque provided to a driveline of a vehicle includes monitoring an accelerator pedal position and a brake pedal position. An adjusted accelerator pedal position is determined based on the accelerator pedal position and the brake pedal position and a drive torque request is determined based on the adjusted accelerator pedal position. Drive torque is generated based on the drive torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventors: David J. Stroh, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Leonard G. Wozniak, William R. Cawthorne
  • Patent number: 7856309
    Abstract: A cold-start control system for an internal combustion engine includes a heat estimation module, a torque request module and a propulsion torque determination module. The heat estimation module determines an exhaust system temperature and estimates heat required to heat an exhaust system to a predetermined temperature. The torque request module generates a torque request based on the estimated heat. The propulsion torque determination module determines a desired engine torque based on the torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher A Gillanders, John L. Lahti, Louis A. Avallone, Jon C. Miller, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Todd R. Shupe, Jaehak Jung, William R. Cawthorne, Leonard G. Wozniak
  • Patent number: 7822528
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a torque request module, an immediate torque control module, an actuation module, and an expected torque control module. The torque request module generates an expected torque request and an immediate torque request. The immediate torque control module controls a spark advance of an engine based on the immediate torque request. The actuation module selectively reduces the expected torque request based on the immediate torque request and a spark capacity. The spark capacity is based on a difference between a first engine torque and a second engine torque, determined at a current airflow. The first engine torque is determined at a first spark advance and the second engine torque is determined at a second spark advance that is less than the first spark advance. The expected torque control module that controls a throttle valve area based on the expected torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Richard B. Jess, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Weixin Yan, Michael Livshiz, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Leonard G. Wozniak
  • Publication number: 20100116250
    Abstract: An engine control system includes an air control module, a spark control module, and a reserves module. The air control module controls a throttle valve of an engine based on an adjusted predicted torque request. The spark control module controls spark timing of the engine based on an adjusted immediate torque request. The reserves module determines an arbitrated reserve based on a maximum one of a minimum reserve and an additive reserve sum. The reserves module also generates the adjusted predicted torque request based on a sum of an arbitrated predicted torque request and a requested reserve, wherein the requested reserve is based on the arbitrated reserve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert C. Simon, JR., Christopher E. Whitney, Leonard G. Wozniak
  • Patent number: 7704185
    Abstract: A method of regulating a torque output of each of an internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric machine (EM) in a hybrid powertrain system includes determining a desired axle torque of the hybrid powertrain system and arbitrating the desired axle torque and a first plurality of torque requests in an engine control module (ECM) of the hybrid powertrain system to provide an arbitrated axle torque request. The method further includes arbitrating a torque request, which is based on the arbitrated axle torque request, and a second plurality of torque requests in a hybrid control module (HCM) to provide a final torque request, and generating ICE control signals and EM control signals based on the final torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Babcock, Leonard G. Wozniak
  • Patent number: 7698048
    Abstract: A control system for an engine of a vehicle includes a requested torque module that determines a first requested torque based on an accelerator pedal position and a current engine torque output capacity. An accelerator effective position module determines an accelerator effective position based on a requested driver axle torque request signal. A power enrichment (PE) module enables a PE mode to provide a richer than stoichiometric fuel equivalence ratio based on the first requested torque and the accelerator effective position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventors: Jaehak Jung, Louis A. Avallone, Christopher E. Whitney, Leonard G. Wozniak, Klaus Pochner, Jeffrey M. Kaiser
  • Publication number: 20100075803
    Abstract: An engine system includes a throttle actuator module and a torque control module. The throttle actuator module controls a throttle actuator based on a desired throttle area. The torque control module determines an actuator torque. The torque control module determines a rate limited torque, a maximum torque, and a minimum torque based on the actuator torque and a predetermined rate of change. The torque control module determines the desired throttle area based on the actuator torque when the rate limited torque is greater than the maximum torque. The torque control module determines the desired throttle area based on the actuator torque when the rate limited torque is less than the minimum torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin T. Sharples, Mark H. Costin, Timothy J. Hartrey, Christopher E. Whitney, Bahram Younessi, Weixin Yan, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Richard B. Jess, Joseph M. Stempnik, John A. Jacobs, Jinchun Peng, Leonard G. Wozniak, Vivek Mehta, Bruce A. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20100075802
    Abstract: A cold-start control system for an internal combustion engine includes a heat estimation module, a torque request module and a propulsion torque determination module. The heat estimation module determines an exhaust system temperature and estimates heat required to heat an exhaust system to a predetermined temperature. The torque request module generates a torque request based on the estimated heat. The propulsion torque determination module determines a desired engine torque based on the torque request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Gillanders, John L. Lahti, Louis A. Avallone, Jon C. Miller, Robert C. Simon, JR., Todd R. Shupe, Jaehak Jung, William R. Cawthorne, Leonard G. Wozniak
  • Patent number: 7610800
    Abstract: A method for collecting crankshaft position data includes rotating a crankshaft of an engine within a selected angular velocity range without any fuel being applied to the engine and measuring crankshaft position data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Xuan Dung T. Avallone, John L. Lahti, David S. Mathews, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Leonard G. Wozniak, William R. Cawthorne, Robert S Wickman